The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday edition that Canadians hoping for progress on high-frequency rail between Toronto and Quebec City will face further delays. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that late last year Ottawa requested an extension on bids to build the rail corridor, pushing back the selection of a private partner beyond the initial late 2024 deadline. This setback affects a project expected to take over a decade and raises concerns about a potential change in government. Choosing a consortium to manage the planning and construction is essential, with the winning contractor originally set to be announced by late fall 2024. The goal was to transport more passengers quicker and more often than the delay-plagued trains at Via Rail, whose aging fleet runs on tracks owned by Canadian National Railway, which gives priority to freight trains. Transport Action Canada president Terry Johnson worries the pushed-back timeline could make it easier for new leadership in Ottawa to scrap the project altogether. The three consortia selected to submit proposals are: Cadence, which includes AtkinsRealis Group and Air Canada; Intercity Rail Developers; and QConnexiON Rail Partners, which includes WSP Global.