NDP warns privatizing high-speed rail from Toronto to Quebec could kill passenger trains in rest of Canada [Video]

The federal NDP’s transport critic is worried a new high-speed rail project in Ontario and Quebec will kill off publicly-subsidized passenger service in western Canada, the Prairies and the Maritimes.

MP Taylor Bachrach, who represents the riding of Skeena-Bulkley Valley in B.C.’s northwest, says he is in favour of improved rail service, but warns it must benefit the public, as opposed to private companies.

The plan for a consortium of private companies to build and operate 300 km/hour electric trains to run between Toronto and Quebec City, with stops in Ottawa, Montreal and other places, was announced Wednesday by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The project is to be overseen by a newly created Crown corporation called Alto.

Currently, train service in that corridor is provided by Via Rail, a Crown corporation, which also provides service from Prince Rupert, on B.C.’s North Coast all the way to Halifax, with stops at …