The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday, Aug. 31, edition that an internal document obtained by The Globe estimates the total cost of a high-speed rail line from Toronto to Quebec City at about $150-billion, once 40 years of operating and maintenance expenses are included, which is significantly higher than figures cited by federal officials. The Globe's Bill Curry writes that as Canada moves closer to building a high-speed rail service, opposition is increasing over its cost and proposed route. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has vowed to cancel the project if elected prime minister, and local lawmakers in Eastern Ontario are raising concerns about its impact on rural communities. Alto, the project operator, has occasionally mentioned the additional costs to operate the train service post-construction, but has never provided estimates for these expenses or expected revenues. The project envisions about 1,000 kilometres of dedicated passenger rail that would allow electrified high-speed trains to travel at speeds of 300 kilometres an hour or more. It promises to cut travel times along the corridor by about half. Alto has said construction could begin in the 2029-30 fiscal year.