The governments of Canada and Alberta have agreed to collaborate on a potential high-speed rail connection between Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton.
The agreement will establish a framework for the two governments to assess the development of high-speed passenger rail along the Calgary-Red Deer-Edmonton corridor.
The initiative will be referred to Canada’s Major Projects Office (MPO), following a similar approach to the Toronto-Quebec City High-Speed Rail initiative. The MPO will support collaboration between federal and provincial departments and agencies as planning work progresses.
Canada and Alberta will also establish a joint governance structure to oversee the collaboration, share information and support planning and due diligence.
Calgary-Edmonton High-Speed Rail Project
The Government of Alberta is preparing to launch a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process in autumn 2026. The process will invite private-sector companies to submit proposals for a high-speed rail project linking downtown Calgary, Red Deer and downtown Edmonton.
The proposed project would also provide service to Calgary and Edmonton’s airports and the city of Airdrie.
According to the governments, a preferred proponent is expected to be selected by April 2027.
The project follows the development of Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan, which identified improved passenger rail connections as an opportunity to support population growth, mobility and economic development in the province.
The federal and provincial governments will use the new governance structure to examine market interest and potential implementation opportunities. This could include market-sounding activities to assess private-sector interest in delivering the project.
The collaboration is currently focused on exploring the potential for the railway rather than committing to construction. Further planning, assessment and engagement will be required as the initiative develops.
Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta said:Connecting Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton with high-speed rail would be a generational investment in Alberta’s future. As our province continues to grow, we need to build the infrastructure that keeps people, businesses and our economy moving. By working with the federal government, we are taking the next steps toward a project that could strengthen one of Canada’s fastest-growing economic corridors and support Alberta’s growth for decades to come.
Canadian Passenger Rail
The Alberta initiative forms part of wider federal efforts to develop intercity passenger rail in Canada.
The Canadian government is already progressing plans for high-speed rail between Toronto and Quebec City, while examining opportunities to improve passenger rail connectivity elsewhere in the country.
In Alberta, the governments said they will engage with Indigenous communities, municipalities, industry, investors, other stakeholders and the public as work progresses.
Transport Canada said the collaboration is intended to assess how high-speed rail could improve regional connectivity, mobility and economic productivity along the Calgary-Edmonton corridor.
The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons said:High-speed rail has great potential to reshape the way people move in Canada, and supports Alberta's economic growth, productivity, and regional connectivity. Today's collaboration demonstrates our shared commitment to exploring opportunities that could deliver lasting benefits for Albertans and Canadians.
The proposed corridor would connect Alberta’s two largest cities with Red Deer, while also providing links to the province’s major airports and Airdrie.
