Paul St-Pierre Plamondon would kill high-speed train project if elected

The Parti Québécois government will reportedly withdraw Quebec from the federal government's proposed high-speed rail project between Quebec City and Toronto if it is elected in Quebec's next provincial election. On June 9, Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon announced that his party would withdraw Quebec from the plan, given the power. Plamondon argued that the province cannot afford to spend billions of dollars on a ‘megaproject' while schools, hospitals, roads and public transit systems continue to deteriorate.

Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon described the Alto high-speed rail project as a potentially massive financial burden that would divert resources away from more urgent priorities. The federal project, which would connect major cities in the Quebec City–Windsor corridor through a dedicated high-speed rail network, has been promoted by Ottawa as one of the largest transportation investments in Canadian history. Supporters argue it would improve mobility, reduce emissions and strengthen economic ties between major population centres.

Plamondon, however, said Quebec's financial reality requires a different approach. In a lengthy statement released on social media, he argued that the province is facing significant budget pressures while also struggling to maintain existing public infrastructure. He said a Parti Québécois government would prioritize investments in healthcare, education, transportation networks and public safety rather than committing billions of dollars to a new rail system connecting Quebec and Ontario. Plamondon argued the proposal reflects Ottawa's tendency to pursue large nation-building projects while ignoring more immediate problems facing provinces. He argued Quebecers would receive greater benefits from investments that directly improve the services and infrastructure they use every day.

In his statement, St-Pierre Plamondon repeatedly returned to the issue of government spending priorities. Quebec continues to face significant budget pressures while public institutions struggle with aging facilities and growing maintenance costs. The Parti Québécois leader argued governments must focus first on their core responsibilities before committing money to expensive new projects. Much of the Parti Québécois criticism focuses on the project's potential cost. St-Pierre Plamondon cited estimates from the Bloc Québécois suggesting the Alto project could eventually reach nearly $200 billion. While governments have not finalized a total price tag, he argued Quebec's share could climb to approximately $40 billion. He compared that figure to other major public investments, noting that the long-delayed renovation of Montreal's Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital carries an estimated cost of roughly $5 billion. According to St-Pierre Plamondon, Quebecers should question whether spending eight times that amount on high-speed rail represents a responsible use of public money.

Plamondon cites infrastructure needing repair

The Parti Québécois leader also pointed to Quebec's growing infrastructure maintenance backlog. Provincial figures estimate the government's asset maintenance deficit at roughly $45 billion. St-Pierre Plamondon said nearly 40 per cent of hospital buildings and 60 per cent of schools are currently considered to be in poor condition. Roads across the province require billions of dollars in repairs, while Montreal's metro system faces major modernization needs in the years ahead. Public transit agencies throughout Quebec continue seeking funding for expansion and maintenance projects. According to the PQ leader, those issues deserve immediate attention before governments consider new megaprojects.

Plamondon argued the province could renovate schools, modernize hospitals, repair roads and strengthen public transit networks instead of helping fund a high-speed rail line. The statement emphasized that Quebec already knows where many of its infrastructure needs are located and does not need to search for projects requiring investment. Rather than building a new transportation corridor between provinces, he argued governments should focus on maintaining and improving the infrastructure that Quebecers already depend on daily.

Reaction from Quebec?

It's unclear how the province of Quebec will react to this news. High-speed rail has attracted support from transportation advocates for decades, and many supporters argue Canada needs modern passenger rail infrastructure comparable to systems operating in Europe and Asia. Plamondon acknowledged that his position may not be universally popular, but said a responsible government must make difficult choices when resources are limited. If the Parti Québécois forms government, it will withdraw Quebec from the Alto project and demand that the federal funding be transferred to the province without conditions.