OTTAWA — The three top contenders to replace Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal party say they’ll honour the departing prime minister’s pledge to help bankroll a multibillion-dollar high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City. Emily Williams, a spokesperson for presumed frontrunner Mark Carney, said on Monday, "Connecting the two provincial capitals via high-speed rail would be a slam-dunk for Canada’s economy.”
“More connections mean more growth — by linking Canada’s economic hubs, we will create thousands of well-paying jobs and strengthen our local economies,” Williams added, echoing sentiments expressed by her boss.
Carney, who’s used the line “build, baby, build” on the campaign trail, has promised to invest billions in port, rail and other significant transportation infrastructure. Trudeau raised eyebrows last Wednesday when he committed to $3.9 billion over six years for the project, with time running out on his tenure.
The soon-to-be-departing prime minister indicated the spending would commence in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Specific details concerning the location of stops and the timeline for the project’s completion are still to be unveiled. Leadership candidate and ex-finance minister Chrystia Freeland has quickly endorsed the prime minister’s proposal, stating, "This is a great investment in Canada’s economy and a great investment for Canada,” during her campaign stop.
Fellow leadership candidate Karina Gould took to social media, expressing her support for the initiative. “Great news! The federal government is moving forward on high-speed rail between Quebec City & Toronto. I fully support this important investment and will continue to,” tweeted Gould.
Frank Baylis, the only Liberal leadership candidate currently skeptical of the high-speed rail initiative, has voiced his concerns. “He doesn’t want to just jump on a bandwagon,” stated his spokesperson Justine McIntyre, stressing the need for the Trudeau government to prove the project serves the taxpayers' best interest.
“When we say $3.9 billion, that's just the initial cost of the project. How much will the total cost be?” McIntyre questioned.
The four Liberal leadership contenders squared off Monday evening for their first official debate. Conservative MP Michelle Rempel expressed her skepticism over the feasibility of the project under the Liberals. “The reality is the Liberal Party of Canada has built virtually nothing for Canadians,” Rempel remarked.
While the Conservatives are not entirely dismissing the high-speed rail connectivity, the opposition party’s spokesperson Sam Lilly emphasized, "Let’s see a plan!” Acknowledging the significance of the Greater Quebec City Area for Conservative electoral fortunes, the pledge from Trudeau puts the party at risk of losing ground.
Interestingly, support for Trudeau’s proposal has emerged from Alberta, with Minister of Transportation Devin Dreeshen encouraging the idea to serve as a broader economic corridor, not just high-speed rail. He urged the government to include various other potential projects under the right-of-way concept.
Dreeshen, who was recently active in Quebec City, has approached Liberal Transportation Minister Anita Anand, advocating for the creation of a federal-provincial-territorial working group dedicated to interprovincial mega-infrastructure initiatives.
Further along the campaign trail, Mark Carney has signaled plans to cap immigration until it returns to sustainable, pre-pandemic levels. His campaign launched policy documents highlighting economic strategies and housing reforms. Aiming to double housing construction rates over the next decade, Carney proposes abolishing the GST for first-time homebuyers purchasing homes under $1 million, which aligns with proposals from his rival, Freeland, who has pitched dropping the GST from the sale of new homes valued at $1.5 million.
With candidacy votes looming and only weeks until the results are announced, debates have become the primary opportunity for Liberal supporters to evaluate candidates.
Carney's push for fiscal sustainability includes aspirations to balance operational budgets within three years. Yet, he admits the government must invest more significantly to develop affordable housing and clean energy projects to mitigate dependency on the U.S.
Throughout his campaign, Freeland has made waves by drawing on her roots, visiting the Peace River farm where she grew up and emphasizing the contributions of hardworking Canadians to the economy.
Current polling and fundraising reports indicate Carney is the clear front-runner, generating excitement within party ranks. His background as governor of central banks in Canada and England positions him uniquely amid Conservative attacks aimed at his campaign.
“Canadians will be watching to see what Mark Carney is actually proposing,” Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer cautioned, affirming concerns about whether any shifts from the previous Liberal government's policies can be expected.
Carney's economic blueprint has sparked conversations across political lines, with voters wondering if it signals necessary shifts for Canada or if it will retain the approach from outgoing leadership.
Interest surrounding Carney's plans for climate commitments has also fired up debates. Even though earlier opinions supported carbon taxes as models for sustainability, he now advocates for new measures targeting emissions from the largest offenders rather than from all Canadians.
With the party primed for change, candidates must navigate promises and policies carefully as they wrap up their campaigns and head toward the pivotal vote. Each candidate is attempting to carve out narratives filled with hope for future infrastructure, immigration adjustments, and economic revitalization.