Candian high speed rail just another let down

Today Ontario premier McGuinty and Quebec premier Charest talked about a High Speed Rail Link between Montreal and Toronto. They proposed to do what all politicians do when faced with making a decision. They said they would study the matter.

A study might seem acceptable were it not for the fact that the same subject has been studied 16 times already in the past 20 years. McGuinty's study was just to “update” the previous results. As if to wash their hands further of any responsibility they opined that environmental assessments could still add 5 to 8 years to the project even if it were approved by the Provinces and the Prime Minister

As these two leaders procrastinate at taxpayers expense, Porter airlines shuttles folks back and forth from Toronto to Montreal 17 times per day, and has made a great business of it. Clearly another study is not needed to realize the obvious.

At the same time, Montreal based Bombardier rail has received one of the largest train orders in its history, from tiny Switzerland. Unfortunately the order won't benefit Canadians as it will be built largely in Bombardier plants in Europe, where the company has found governments more receptive to the idea of building rail transit.

Obama has earmarked eight billion dollars for rail infrastructure in the USA and is already funding improvements to rail transit in many american cities. Canada sits on its hands prefering to fund US automotive makers rather than create viable jobs for its own people in improving its own rail infrastructure.

Rail freight and travel is the greenest form of transportation, and has been proven successful in Europe and Japan, often with the help of superb Canadian rail engineering talent. If ever a country could benefit from high speed rail, its Canada. With its long distances and access to hydroelectric power, Canadian trains ought to be the most efficient, cleanest method to move people and freight around.