Budget annex signals omnibus bill on airport investment and Alto rail expropriation

Ottawa plans budget-related legislation covering private investment in Canada's four largest airports and new expropriation powers to speed the proposed Alto high-speed rail line between Toronto and Quebec City. The Nov. 5 budget lists 54 such measures in a legislative annex, usually a precursor to a budget bill, but gives only brief summaries, and no bill has been tabled yet. The budget sets aside $37.6 million over three years to select an airport operator by 2029. NDP and Conservative MPs, a transport union and a rail-route resident say omnibus bills limit scrutiny. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne called that criticism routine.