Hon. Anita Anand
Minister of Transport
November 26th, 2024
Dear Minister Anand,
The Brampton Board of Trade, as a trusted advocate and support network for Brampton businesses, works diligently to foster economic growth, policy development, and community engagement. We represent a unified voice for our city’s business community, collaborating with government officials, stakeholders, and industry leaders to address issues that shape Brampton’s economy and future.
I am writing to convey our unequivocal support for the Toronto-Québec City rapid train project (HFR) and to urge a swift progression of this nation-building exercise. More than a transportation
solution, the Toronto-Québec City rapid train is a transformative infrastructure project with the potential to reshape Canada’s economic landscape. By connecting two provinces and linking 60% of Canada’s population and 40% of our GDP, this rail corridor stands to advance economic integration and provide an alternative to congested highways and carbon-intensive air travel.
We understand and applaud the federal government’s decision to ask the three qualified consortia under consideration to present two solutions: one which delivers the project results identified in the original RFQ and another that explores higher speeds on segments of track where this would make financial and operational sense. We urge the federal government to choose higher speeds for this project. Canada is currently the only G7 nation without dedicated high-speed passenger rail. Achieving the shortest possible travel times, similar to Europe’s high-speed rail network, would
significantly enhance the potential of this project.
Furthermore, we are confident about HFR’s success and urge the government to fast-track future expansion of the network to encompass the entire Windsor-Quebec City Corridor as quickly as possible. Canada’s main economic corridor supports $560 billion in trade—nearly three times the combined value of the country’s other gateways. The Windsor-Detroit crossing alone accounts for 25% of all Canada-U.S. trade and, over the past four years, $46.1 billion has been invested in Electric Vehicles (EVs) in this corridor, highlighting the region’s current and future economic importance. High Frequency Rail and other improvements to railway infrastructure will help freight and passenger rail movement, which will reduce congestion, increase connectivity and improve regional productivity.
We recognize the potential benefits of having a station in Brampton in future phases of the project, given the city’s rapid growth and the co-location with key hubs like Pearson Airport, BHive, Toronto Metropolitan University and more. Brampton’s connection to the rapid train network could further enhance regional mobility, create new transit options, and support local economic growth. While we understand that initial plans may not include a Brampton stop, we encourage ongoing collaboration to explore possibilities that align with the project’s objectives and regional connectivity. With all of this innovation and new development, Metrolinx is working diligently to expand the Brampton Innovation District GO with additional passenger tracks, emphasizing the business case for greater transit connectivity. We would also welcome consideration of placing Toronto’s Rapid Train stop in Brampton itself, like Toronto’s international airport being in the City of Mississauga.
Lastly, this project also holds significant potential to advance Canada’s climate goals. By shifting travelers from road to rail, HFR offer a low-emission alternative that aligns economic growth with environmental sustainability in Canada’s busiest corridor.
We hope the Government of Canada will expedite this project, incorporate higher-speed rail elements, and consider expansion to the rest of Southwestern Ontario in the next phases of development. These additions will future-proof the rapid train project, ensuring the broadest economic and environmental benefits for generations to come.
The HFR rapid train project holds transformative potential for the entire nation. Future expansions could ultimately link major cities across Eastern and Western Canada, revolutionizing workforce mobility, boosting tourism, and strengthening national unity. For Brampton, a high-speed rail connection would not only be a reflection of our city’s role as a crucial economic hub but also open new pathways for growth and collaboration within the region.
The rapid train project holds a promise that transcends transportation; it is a vision of Canada bounded closer together. Just as the rails of the past united our coasts, the rapid train project has the power to knit together the cities, towns, and diverse regions that form our national fabric. This project offers more than speed and connectivity—it is a path toward shared prosperity, linking people to opportunity and fostering a unity that spans from Windsor to Quebec, and, in time, perhaps from ocean to ocean.
Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to the continued progress of this groundbreaking initiative.
Sincerely,
Jaipaul Massey-Singh
Corporate Executive Officer
Brampton Board of Trade
