Ontario taps Collenette to chair high-speed rail board

The Ontario government has appointed David Collenette chair of its high-speed rail planning advisory board.

A former federal minister of transport, Collenette previously served as the province's special adviser for high-speed rail. As chair of the planning advisory board, he'll continue to provide strategic support and advise government on the project to establish high-speed rail between Toronto and Windsor.

Trains would travel at speeds up to 155 mph on a combination of existing track and new dedicated rail corridors. The service would cut travel time between the two major city centers from over four hours to just over two, Ontario transportation officials said in a press release.

"I look forward to working with [Collenette] as we move forward to build Canada's first high-speed rail line," said Ontario Minister of Transportation Kathryn McGarry. "High-speed rail will connect communities in our province as never before, creating new opportunities and increasing transportation choices for people across Southwestern Ontario."

In December 2016, Collonette authored a report that concluded that a business case can be made for high-speed rail along the Toronto-Windsor corridor.