When I hear of infrastructure projects like this, It reminds me of that article about why we can't build anything anymore. Due to regulations, studies, and a myriad of other things, there is no chance. It will cost billions in just an environmental assessment and take a decade. Unfortunately, we don't have a system where projects like this are feasible.
REM is a rare example of anglosphere building, which is ironic since it's driven by french Quebec.
REM is an extreme outlier though. Canada is filled with failed or failing transit projects that are all desperately needed:
Metrolinx is many years overdue and billions over budget on Line 5. Line 6 is also overdue, but is getting a pass since it's only bad and not horrifying. Metrolinx seems to have learned some lessons for the Ontario Line, but it's also over budget and unlikely to keep anything close to its schedule.
Calgary has spent over a decade working on the Green Line and is still a long way from putting shovels in the ground.
Vancouver keeps slipping on delivering the Broadstreet Skytrain expansion. At least Translink does seem to have reverted to the original Skytrain design pattern that has been so incredibly successful for the Expo Line expansion.
Quebec City tried for a LRT and couldn't even get the project started the cost spiralled so much and got down to a single bidder before they scrapped it and started again.
My own home of Kitchener-Waterloo managed to build an LRT and keep costs reasonable, but costs on phase 2 to Cambridge are terrifying for at-grade construction. Many euro nations have delivered full underground metros for much less per km. We've also been promised and are waiting for all day regional rail service for a decade+.
I'm a huge fan of transit, but it's hard to be optimistic.
I am glad to see CDPQ (who did REM) is part of the high speed rail proposal. They have shown a real ability to make smart value engineering choices and actually deliver projects. Is it enough to actually build some trains? I'm not sure, even if we ignore the political uncertainly surrounding the project.
As long as they remain "public-private partnerships" the goal for the private part of that relationship will be to extract as much money as possible out of the public for as long as possible.
