How high-speed rail would change Ontario and Quebec — if it actually happens

A high-speed rail line linking Canada's two largest cities, Montreal and Toronto, has been the stuff of dreams — and political campaigns — for decades.

But with the federal Liberal government poised to announce more detailed plans for the project, that dream is a step closer to reality.

In Ontario, the line would include stops in Peterborough and Ottawa. In Quebec, it would stop in Laval, Trois-Rivières and Quebec City.

"For me, it's really something that could revolutionize Quebec and Canada," Stéphane Boyer, the mayor of Laval, located just north of Montreal, told Radio-Canada.

"To better connect cities, in a more environmental way, is a game changer."

If it goes ahead, the train could travel up to 300 kilometres per hour — more than double the speed of Via Rail's current trains. But will it actually happen any time soon? And what could it look like if it does? 

Here are some things to consider.

More than half of Canada's population lives along the corridor between Quebec City and Windsor, Ont., which some rail proponents hope is eventually included in the route.

Research from Japan suggests high-speed rail can help ease the cost of housing and congestion on the roads, by making it easier to live further from urban centres.

Overall, high-speed rail has made "mid-sized cities become more attractive," said Yonah Freemark, a researcher specializing in transit at Urban Institute, a think-tank in Washington, D.C.

For example, Lille, the French city located between Paris and London, saw a "huge expansion in the business district" after the rail line connecting the two centres was completed.

He said cities like Peterborough and Trois-Rivières could see a similar economic benefit, while Quebec City would likely also see more tourists and business activity.

The corridor would be mostly electrified — a low-emissions travel option that could take thousands of cars off the road. 

The proposed line is comparable to high-speed rail in Italy between Turin and Naples in terms of the population served and distance covered, said Freemark.