On June 22, 2026, officials in Ottawa formally asked the rail operator Alto to consider adding the city of Kingston, Ontario, as an additional stop on the forthcoming high‑speed rail line that will connect Toronto with Quebec City. The request was directed to Alto as the company prepares to build the corridor that has already been outlined by the federal government.
The federal government has stipulated that the new high‑speed rail corridor will include seven mandated stops: Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, Montreal, Trois‑Rivières and Quebec City. These locations were identified as essential points of service along the route, and the project’s planning documents reflect that framework.
Kingston does not appear among the seven mandated stations, prompting Ottawa’s appeal for its inclusion. By urging Alto to examine the feasibility of a Kingston stop, the government aims to expand the line’s reach into a city that currently lies outside the defined stop list.
Alto has not yet issued a public response to the Ottawa request, but the operator is expected to evaluate the logistical and operational implications of adding an extra station. Any decision to incorporate Kingston would alter the route’s schedule and could affect travel times between the existing mandated stops.
The high‑speed rail project remains a major infrastructure initiative intended to improve inter‑city connectivity across Ontario and Quebec. As planning progresses, the dialogue between federal authorities and the rail operator highlights the ongoing assessment of potential service points that could serve additional communities along the corridor.
The Ottawa appeal underscores the city’s interest in ensuring that Kingston, a significant population centre in the region, gains access to the new high‑speed rail network, potentially enhancing regional mobility and economic links once the line becomes operational.