Mr. Martin Imblaut, CEO of the federal high frequency rail team in his Montreal office on Oct. 18, says the project may include a line linking Toronto and Montreal that will bypass Ottawa and incorporate high-speed segments.Martin Imbleau, the new CEO of the federal high frequency rail team that is aiming to build 1,000 kilometres of dedicated Via Rail passenger service between Quebec City and Toronto, is well aware of the problems with large rail projects.
In his first English-language interview as chief executive officer, Mr. Imbleau told The Globe and Mail that the ultimate cost of the multibillion-dollar project needs to be considered with a long-term view.THE GLOBE AND MAIL, SOURCE: VIA HFR; NATURAL EARTH; NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA While the project was originally pitched as an alternative to driving, Mr. Imbleau said the increasing congestion in and around airports could see flyers making the switch to rail as well.
His is the former president and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority. Prior to that, he was a vice-president at Hydro-Québec. When Via was promoting the idea in 2017, it pegged the cost at between $4-billion and $6-billion. Former transport minister Omar Alghabra speculated in 2021 that the project could cost between $6-billion and $12-billion.