OTTAWA—The federal government has picked Montreal and Ottawa as the first stops on Canada’s new high speed rail line, choosing the shortest, flattest and straightest section of what the government calls a “generational investment” in this country.

Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced the first segment at a press conference in Gatineau, Que., Friday morning, saying the two cities will be the first to be connected before adding on legs to Peterborough and Toronto, as well as Trois-Rivières and Quebec City.

“We are talking about a generational investment that will shape the Canadian economy for decades to come, and will create lasting benefits,” MacKinnon said. “This provides an excellent opportunity for teams in both provinces to begin to develop the expertise needed to complete t

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