Canadian High Speed Bullet Train proposed toward Kyoto inspired Environmental Protection

by Peter Tremblay

The newly established Progressive Nationalist Party of Canada (PNP) is committed to support two regional high speed bullet train networks, that would be linked to a rejuvenated transcontinental Canadian railway service, says political party chairperson Gérald Trottier. The PNP supports a high bullet train between Calgary and Edmonton; and another high speed bullet train that would run from London to Guelph to Hamilton to Toronto and to Ottawa, the nation's capital, and then to Montréal, and terminating in Québec City.

As fossil fuel dependent automobiles create worsening Greenhouse emissions, aeroplanes also further destroy the Earth's vital ozone layer. Rail has dramatically less environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions, compared to air/road travel.

While a European study documents that greenhouse gas emissions from road travel (cars/buses/trucks) grew 19% between 1990 and 2005, and those from air travel increased 8.9 %, rail reduced its emissions 36%.

The Progressive Conservative government of Prime Minister Mulroney during the 1980's had sabotaged Canada's transcontinental railway system, in an apparent bid to undermine the national unity of Canada. Indeed, it was a cross Canada railway from sea to sea, which critically helped to faciltte the confederation of Canada. Hence, railway has been an important part of the development of the Canadian psyche, toward Canada's progressive national identity. Mr. Mulroney and his allies were in favour of a U.S. Free Trade arrangement which would support the cultural, political, and economic assimilation of Canada into the United States.

The QE2 corridor between Calgary and Edmonton has already been acknowledged in on-going bullet train study, as being one of the fastest-growing regions in Canada, with about 2.3 million people. Automobile travel on the highway has surged by nearly 400 per cent since 1981.

An electric train would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cutting traffic on the QE2. About 50,000 cars and trucks use the highway daily.

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