A rendering of the proposed first high-speed rail line between Quebec City and Toronto that, sources say, will start with a shorter segment linking Montreal and Ottawa.

Canada’s first high-speed rail line, between Quebec City and Toronto, will start with a shorter segment linking Montreal and Ottawa, sources say.

Two senior government officials told The Globe and Mail that the plan will be announced Friday by Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon and Martin Imbleau, the CEO of Alto, the Crown Corporation responsible for overseeing the project.

The Globe is not identifying the officials as they were not authorized to comment publicly on the plan.

The project promises to cut current travel times in half, meaning the 200-kilometre trip between Montreal and Ottawa will be about an hour inste

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