what does that mean? another study or actual design and procurement?
I hate being cynical, but given the history of passenger rail in this country, there isn't any reason to be anything but cynical. There are really only 4 scenarios that can realistically play out:
1) The JPO results are released and the government determines that HFR isn't worth the investment. The project is cancelled.
2) The JPO results are released, they look good. The project isn't funded in the budget. An election happens, the Liberals form the next government but HFR is forgotten and never heard from again.
3) The JPO results are released, they look good. The project isn't funded in the budget. An election happens and the Conservatives form the next government. In usual style, the Conservatives cancel the project, promising improvements on existing lines. VIA service becomes less and less relevant in the corridor.
4) The JPO results are released and they look good. Unfortunately because of COVID, financial constraints and hard times for the public make an investment like this politically unpopular. The project is cancelled, and VIA service becomes less relevant in the corridor.
A certain initial phase just to improve the tracks between Toronto and Peterborough
I'd always leave it to the feds to cock it up, but having CP own the branch is ill advised. Not only do they overcharge up to 800% for work on upgrading rails, the whole plan for HFR is passenger rail priority and eventual electrification, two things that can't happen under a CP ownership.^ That's one option, yes. Hard to know if they can strike a deal with CP given it's a branchline where they don't need to buy it outright.
if an election is called this year, and the Conservatives form the next government (which is possible and maybe even likely especially if opinions swing against the liberals), the project is dead as they will cut spending.
Federal budget proposals focus on health care spending - The Globe and Mail
Recommendations include a call to ‘create a nationalized child-care system or increase funding for child care’ and to consider a universal basic incomewww.theglobeandmail.com
Don't count your chickens. There is a good chance that this budget isn't passed and an election is called. Even if it is passed, if an election is called this year, and the Conservatives form the next government (which is possible and maybe even likely especially if opinions swing against the liberals), the project is dead as they will cut spending.
Bottom line, this is far from a done deal. In my opinion, this recommendation brings the likelihood of this being built from 0% to 25%. There are just too many stumbling points ahead.
Edit:
Opinion | Trudeau’s strategic plans aimed at June election
Federal Liberal insiders say the prime minister will be ready to take Canadians to the polls following a federal budget and a successful roll out of v...www.thestar.com
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole said the Liberal government should focus on job creation in all sectors of the economy.
That is a good question. If you look at one of the Amtrak San Joaquins Venture cars, it seems as if the door on one end is for high platforms and the door on the other is for low platforms, but VIA is only having doors at one end of the cars.
As you can see from first picture, the low platform door, seems to have fixed stairs inside the coach and a low gap filler and from the second picture, the high platform door has a gap filler for high platforms. It will be interesting to see what they do for VIA's cars.
Image courtesy EuroCityCard Blog
Photo by Marc Glucksman
I'm surprised people aren't more concerned about the prospect of a Conservative government. The federal party is very different to the provincial party. The last time the Conservatives formed a federal government, the consequences for VIA were horrific. Their answer to cutting subsidies was cutting service (which only caused the opposite).
Also remember that this is an eastern Canada project, so HFR would be a particular target to cut. They would probably shift the money for other projects, likely roads, oil and gas in western Canada.
I'm surprised people aren't more concerned about the prospect of a Conservative government. The federal party is very different to the provincial party. The last time the Conservatives formed a federal government, the consequences for VIA were horrific. Their answer to cutting subsidies was cutting service (which only caused the opposite).
Also remember that this is an eastern Canada project, so HFR would be a particular target to cut. They would probably shift the money for other projects, likely roads, oil and gas in western Canada.