Conservatives Say Champagne Is Avoiding Committee Study Into Alto Rail Connection

Conservative MPs Andrew Scheer (L-R), Luc Berthold and Michael Barrett hold a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 16, 2026. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

The Conservatives are accusing the Liberals of blocking a House of Commons committee from questioning Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne about his personal connection to the Alto high-speed rail project.

Champagne’s partner, Anne-Marie Gaudet, is a vice-president of environment at Alto, the Crown corporation responsible for the $90-billion rail project that would connect Toronto and Quebec City. She was hired in August 2025.