# Ottawa Plans Legislative Push for Airport Privatization and High-Speed Rail Federal budget annex signals new expropriation powers and private investment for major infrastructure projects. - **Source:** [The Globe and Mail – Politics](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ddb25ff2-1bbf-4118-aa82-892d9339a6ce ## Legislative Strategy Shift The Canadian federal government is preparing to introduce budget-related legislation covering diverse initiatives, including private investment for the country's four largest airports. This move utilizes an annex of 54 legislative measures, a common precursor for inclusion in omnibus budget bills. These bills consolidate multiple policy changes into single, massive legislative packages. ## High-Speed Rail Expansion The proposed Alto High-Speed Rail project connecting Toronto and Quebec City remains a central focus of the new legislative agenda. The government intends to streamline expropriation activities and enable preconstruction work to accelerate progress. Critics argue these measures grant the state excessive power to seize private property without sufficient public oversight. ## Airport Privatization Roadmap Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans in September to attract private investment to Canada’s four largest airports using an operating concession model. The current budget allocates $37.6 million over three years for due diligence and legal advice. Officials aim to complete a competitive process to select a private operator by 2029. ## Omnibus Bill Controversy Critics, including opposition MPs and community advocates, argue that using omnibus bills limits Parliament’s ability to conduct thorough reviews. Because these bills are expansive, individual items often bypass witness testimony in committees. A March report from the Senate’s national finance committee highlighted that such bills have grown significantly in size since the 1990s. ## Opposition and Concerns NDP MP Heather McPherson stated that airport privatization requires a stand-alone study rather than inclusion in a budget bill. Meanwhile, Conservative transport critic Dan Albas labeled the high-speed rail project a boondoggle. Labor representatives, such as the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees, expressed concerns regarding potential impacts on worker job security and safety. ## Government Defense Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne dismissed criticisms regarding the legislative process, characterizing them as routine political opposition. He emphasized the necessity of acting at the speed of the world to maintain national competitiveness. The government maintains that these legislative measures are essential for executing its broader economic and infrastructure development agenda. ## Community Impact Fears Community advocate Erin Durant warned that the government’s approach to expropriation feels like a bulldozer strategy. She argued that residents deserve full public hearings regarding property rights and project impacts. There is growing fear that increased federal powers will exacerbate tensions in communities situated along the proposed high-speed rail corridor. ## Broad Legislative Scope Beyond infrastructure, the budget annex includes amendments to the Patent Act and the creation of a sovereign wealth fund. Other measures involve a crackdown on predatory lenders, new rules for Crown corporation borrowing, and the establishment of Digital Transformation Canada. These items reflect a wide-ranging effort to reshape federal regulatory frameworks. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-federal-budget-2026-legislation-private-airport-investments-high-speed/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._