September 29, 2026, marked an important milestone for Alberta’s economic growth, regional connectivity, and infrastructure. I was proud to join colleagues from the federal and provincial governments to announce that the Calgary–Edmonton High-Speed Rail initiative is being referred to the federal Major Projects Office (MPO) as a “transformative strategy.”

By referring the initiative to the MPO, our federal government is bringing together expertise across departments and agencies to strengthen collaboration and move this ambitious project forward. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving mobility, strengthening regional connections, attracting investment, and supporting Alberta’s long-term growth and competitiveness.

Connecting Alberta

The Calgary–Red Deer–Edmonton corridor is one of Alberta’s most important population and economic regions. As our communities continue to grow, our infrastructure must grow with them.

The proposed high-speed rail line would connect downtown Calgary, Airdrie, Red Deer, and downtown Edmonton, with connections to Calgary International Airport and Edmonton International Airport. The plan envisions trains travelling at speeds of up to 320 km/h, with a proposed travel time of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes between Calgary and Edmonton.

This is about more than getting from one city to another faster. High-speed rail could give Albertans another safe, reliable, and accessible transportation option while helping ease pressure on our busy highways.

Growing Our Economy

With an estimated value of $10.9 billion, this landmark infrastructure investment has the potential to create thousands of good jobs and strengthen connections between Alberta’s major economic centres.

Faster regional connections could support employment, tourism, investment, and economic opportunity across the corridor. They could also help make it easier for Albertans to connect with businesses, universities, communities, and each other.

Alberta is preparing to launch a formal Request for Proposals this fall to seek a private-sector proponent. This process will explore private-sector expertise, investment, financing, and delivery options for the proposed rail connection.

What Comes Next

Over the coming months, Canada and Alberta will establish a joint governance structure, assess market interest, and advance planning for the project. Alberta’s RFP process is expected to launch this fall, with a private-sector proponent targeted for selection by April 2027.

Detailed planning, including airport connections, is already moving forward. The project is expected to be delivered over multiple decades, with major corridor construction projected to begin in the early 2030s.

There is significant work ahead, including decisions about the project’s design, financing, and delivery. But by working together across governments and with Indigenous communities, municipalities, industry, investors, and other partners, we can lay the foundation for a modern passenger rail system that strengthens Alberta’s connections and supports economic opportunity across Western Canada.

The Calgary–Edmonton corridor has an important role to play in Alberta’s future. This announcement is another step toward a more connected, productive, and accessible Alberta.