The federal government’s high‑speed rail initiative is encountering significant financial challenges before construction has begun.
An analysis by a taxpayer advocacy group estimates that a newly mandated stop in Kingston could increase the project’s cost by several billion dollars.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon recently directed the Crown corporation responsible for planning the 1,000‑kilometre line to incorporate a Kingston station, adding at least 51.9 kilometres to the route.
The same analysis calculates the additional distance would raise the overall budget by roughly $3.9 billion, equating to about $75 million per kilometre.
Research cited by the advocacy group projects annual operating expenses of $84,000 per kilometre, with a 1 % yearly increase, resulting in average yearly operating costs of $166.56 million.
After accounting for projected revenue, capital repayment and loan interest, the study forecasts annual subsidies of approximately $1.28 billion, with total government payments expected to reach $54.89 billion over the life of the project.
The analysis concludes that the government’s $90 billion cost estimate is unrealistic and urges cancellation of the high‑speed rail program.
