High-speed rail could be coming to Ottawa. Here’s what we know

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Good morning! 

We have lots of transit news to get to today. The federal government is considering a high-speed rail line between Quebec City and Toronto. It would be a big game-changer for Ottawa. We have all the details on what we know so far. 

Testing has been completed on Ottawa’s Trillium line, but there's still no end date in sight. We share the minimal details which have been announced. 

Let’s get to the news of the day! 

— Charlie Senack, [email protected].

Editor’s note: A quick correction from the last newsletter: We said Barrhaven West Councillor David Hill was in attendance at a meeting with the Queensway Carleton Hospital, but he was not invited. Barrhaven East Councillor Wilson Lo and Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod were in attendance. We regret the error. 

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign up for free.

WEATHER

Friday: 14 🌡️ -1 | 🌧️

Saturday: 7 🌡️ -4 | 🌤️

Sunday: 9 🌡️ 1 | 🌤️

Monday: 8 🌡️ 6 | 🌧️

CITY

High-speed rail could be coming to Ottawa. Here’s what we know

Planning for the future: A new high-speed rail line between Quebec City and Toronto could become a game changer for Ottawa. The Justin Trudeau-led Liberal government is expected to make the announcement in the coming weeks. 

The trains would run at a speed of up to 300 kilometres an hour and could get commuters from Montreal to Toronto in three hours. By car, that commute is about six hours — even longer if you account for traffic jams. 

New tracks: The system would run on a separate line than the traditional trains, and would also serve Trois-Rivières, Laval, Ottawa and Peterborough, reported CBC. 

It’s believed the federal government has already chosen a winning bidder for the project out of three different options, but no final contracts have been signed. 

• “No contract has been awarded to a consortium for the rail project in the Quebec City-Toronto corridor. Our Liberal government has an ambitious, transformative plan for Canada's future,” said a spokesperson for Transport Minister Anita Anand 

The project has support from the Mayor of Laval, Quebec. 

• “For me, it's really something that could revolutionize Quebec and Canada,"  Mayor Stéphane Boyer told CBC. "To better connect cities, in a more environmental way, is a game changer."

Serving a large population: While Canada is big geographically speaking, most of its residents live in pocket communities. More than half of the country's population lives in the corridor between Quebec City and Windsor, Ont., which some hope will also one day be included in the route. 

How does this compare to other countries? No surprise here, but the world's fastest train is located in Shanghai Maglev, China. It can travel up to speeds of 460 kilometres per hour. In total China has built a 38,000-kilometre network of new railways reaching almost every corner of the country, reported CNN. 

In Italy, the Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa, also known as ETR1000, can reach speeds of 300 kilometres an hour. A total of 457 passengers can ride in the eight-car non-articulated 200-metre trains, with an engineered maximum speed of 400km/h. It’s believed this line — both in terms of population and distance covered — is similar to the one proposed here in Canada. 

• Spain had its first high-speed rail network open in 1992. The Renfe Class 103 line can reach speeds of 310 km/h. There are 621 kilometres res of rail travelling from Barcelona to Madrid. 

Morocco has a similar line which can reach speeds of 320 km/h. Al Boraq as it’s known, cost $2 billion to build, and cut journey times between Casablanca and Rabat in half — from almost five hours to just over two hours, reported Railway Technology. 

France also has a high-speed rail line. The Train à Grande Vitesse, or TGV, also runs at speeds of 320 km/h. The SNCF TGV Network extends outside France, directly linking to Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. 

Paul Langan, founder of advocacy group High Speed Rail Canada, told CTV a new Canadian line would be a "game-changer” and noted it’s time to keep up with other countries. 

• "This is one way for us to catch up to other parts of the world that have been doing it for a half a century. The number one thing about this project is we'd have our own track," he says, referring to VIA’s dependance on the CN railway and the sharing of the tracks with freight trains. We can run as many trains as we want, as frequent, as fast as we want, to go from A to B,” said Langan. 

SPONSORED BY UNITED WAY EAST ONTARIO

The tastiest way to give back this fall 🍔 

United Way East Ontario has enlisted 16 restaurants from across Ottawa, Prescott-Russell, Lanark County, and Renfrew County to create their unique burgers for our first-ever annual Novemburger!

Novemburger is all about coming together for our love of food and helping build up our communities.

We invite you to visit our participating locations and fuel positive change throughout our neighbourhoods–$2 from each Novemburger sold this month will be donated directly to the United Way to support local initiatives.

“The best part about Novemburger is we get the chance to show support for the local business community while involving them in our mission to ensure the most vulnerable people in our communities can thrive,” says Lorena Costa, our Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships.

Be sure to bring your appetite while relishing in a whole month of giving back! Visit our website to learn more and find out where to eat your Novemburgers.

OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🍫 $100: The amount of additional money Canadians are expected to have spent on Halloween this year. [CTV]

🍦 10: The number of Baskin Robbins ice cream locations a duo from China are hoping to open in Ottawa. [Ottawa Business Journal]

🗑️ 82: The age of an Ottawa woman who is a hoarder and is sharing her story so others don’t find themselves in the same situation. [CBC]

👷🏼‍♀️ 58.9%: The increased rate of unemployment amongst Canadian immigrants between August 2023 and August 2024. [Capital Current]

TRANSIT

Still no opening date for light rail Trillium line

No date yet: It will still be weeks before Ottawa’s Trillium Line light rail system is up and running for the public, but OC Transpo says testing went well and is now concluded. While no date is known yet, a technical briefing will be held in the coming weeks to announce more concrete information. 

• “We will not rush the system and I will explain that when we have the technical briefing. You will have to be a bit more patient,” said OC Transpo boss René Amilcar according to the Ottawa Citizen. 

A long wait: The Trillium Line, which has been expanded from its original five stops from South Keys to Bayview Station, was originally meant to open two years ago. That never happened after countless delays. During the three-week trial testing period, which just wrapped up, drivers went through a testing phase and an emergency scenario phase. Now the system is in its "final readiness phase," which will take a minimum of three more weeks. The line could theoretically open by mid to late November, reported CBC. 

A united call for more transit funding 

Earlier this week, cities from across Canada were in Ottawa to demand more funding for their respective transit systems. The group of municipal politicians called upon the federal government to create a more sustainable cost-sharing framework. 

Pinched pockets: The plea couldn’t come at a more desperate time. Bigger municipalities — including Ottawa — are facing deficits of $100 million, reported CBC. Demands from four cities included: An accelerated rollout for the $30-billion federal fund for capital projects, a new joint agreement from all levels of government on how to fund operations, and enshrined legislation to protect the long-term sustainability of funding.

• “It's a responsibility for all levels of government — for municipal, for provincial and for the federal government," said Ottawa Transit Chair Glen Gower, who also noted the structural problem must be addressed. 

THE AGENDA

🌉 The Old Railway Rideau River Pedestrian Bridge over the Rideau River near the University of Ottawa campus is in desperate need of repairs. Built in 1898, the city says the crossing is in “overall poor condition.” It was repurposed in 1972 for pedestrian and cycling use. [CTV]

📈A report before Ottawa’s Finance and Corporate Services and Planning and Housing committee meeting on Nov. 6 looks at strengthening the Vacant Unit Tax. Properties vacant for more than 184 days in the previous calendar year pay one per cent of the assessed property 

value, with the money going towards affordable housing. The new plan could increase it by one per cent every year it’s vacant, up to 5 per cent. Staff say it could generate $4 million. [CTV]

🪧While some councillors expressed criticism, council voted to have city staff review the potential for a bylaw limiting where demonstrations could take place, near schools, hospitals and other public community spaces. There were 22 votes in favour and three opposed. [CTV]

✈️ Ottawa has been getting an influx of direct flights recently, with the newest route going non-stop to Las Vegas. Porter is also expanding service out of Ottawa to Fort Myers and Tampa this fall. [CTV]

🇵🇸 Charges have been dropped against an Ottawa woman who pulled a hijab off a woman's head while she was protesting for Palestine outside city hall. Assistant Crown attorney Moiz Karimjee said they considered a number of factors when making the decision, such as the victim was chanting "From the River to the Sea Palestine will be Free," which he said could be reasonably inferred to be "a call for genocide of the Jewish people." [CBC]

🔥 According to CBC sources, Ottawa Police are investigating an arson incident which occurred on Rossland Avenue Oct. 8 as being linked to a notorious international crime family. Just a few doors down, police are aware of another home once owned by alleged cocaine trafficker Hisham "Terry" Alkhalil, one of five gangster brothers from the same family. The property was sold — at least on paper — in 2021. [CBC]

🔥 Two men are being treated for burns after a fire at an apartment building in Alta Vista on Wednesday. Both men were working on an electrical panel when the blaze broke out. The Ministry of Labour is investigating. Upwards of 90 people have been displaced until power is restored. [CTV]

🗿 Former Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin is set to head Quebec's national history museum. Culture and Communications Minister Mathieu Lacombe says he made the recommendation. The museum is expected to open in spring of 2026. [CTV]

🚔 Gatineau Police say a teen missing could be in Ottawa. Gérard Dubreuil, 16, has not been seen since he left his place of residence on chemin Freeman in Hull. When last seen he was wearing grey cargo pants, a grey vest and grey shoes. [Ottawa Citizen]

EVENTS GUIDE

Byron Path Pumpkin Parade | 127 Bassett Ln | Nov. 1, 1 pm-5 pm | Drop your pumpkins off to help create a pumpkin path | Free

Beowulf in Afghanistan: In a new play by Ottawa's Laurie Fyffe a Canadian soldier navigates the clash of conflict. November 12-24 at GCTC. [Sponsored]

Mayfair Theatre Films | Multiple dates | Movies this weekend include Alien: Romulus, Emilia Pérez, Megalopolis and The Outrun | Ticket schedule

Stittsville Haunted Heritage Tours 2024 | 1564 Main Street South Ottawa | Nov. 1, 8 7 pm and 9 pm | 90-minute walk sharing tales of legends that are (sometimes) scary | Tickets $23

Day of the Dead Festival | ByWard Market | Nov. 1-3 | Special outdoor programming, including mariachi performances, Mexican cuisine and workshops | Free

Christmas Bazaar | Parkdale United Church | Nov. 2, 9 am-12 pm | Home baking, crafts, jewellery and more | Free

Vankleek Hill Christmas Home Tour | Multiple locations | Nov. 2, 10 am-5 pm | Check out six decorated homes, with proceeds going to charity | Learn more

Haunted House Behind the Screams | 1d Studios, 2935 Conroy Road | Until Nov. 3 | Come check out the all-ages haunted house | Tickets $26

L’Outaouais au menu | Until Nov. 16, Thursday to Saturday | Multiple restaurants | Come try fixed-priced menus at many Outauais restaurants | List of restaurants

Ottawa Canadian Film Festival | ByTowne Cinema | Nov. 7-9 | Multiple films being shown focused on Canadian films | Learn more

Sausage Making Class | The Piggy Market | Nov. 6, 7 5:30 pm | Come learn how to make sausage from scratch, using spices and other ingredients | Tickets $120

CAPITAL EATS

The Capital Eats team eats at many restaurants throughout the year, publishing so often it’s hard to keep track of it all.

To help you make sense of what we ate, here are the best meals and restaurants of summer 2024 in Ottawa and the Capital Region.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Here is a look at how Ottawa residents celebrated Halloween. [CTV]

• Rules of the Road, Ottawa musician Steve Donnelly's new book, details the mishaps and mental toll of 9 people touring Canada in a fickle minibus. [Sponsored]

• Guy Levesque is leaving uOttawa for a new job at the University of Calgary. [Ottawa Business Journal]

• ByWard Market vendors are finding creative ways to stay afloat after the outdoor market closes for the winter. [Capital Current]

• The Stittsville Friendship Club has offered new friendships and guaranteed fun for 42 years. [Stittsville Central]

• RONA Manotick celebrates its grand opening. [Manotick Messenger]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.