I encourage a few of you to read this if THAT is your opinion and comparison, because the national railway is far more akin to Atlantic shipping lines or early international flight routes than HSR.
A thrilling new account of the engineering triumph that created a nation
www.penguinrandomhouse.ca
Again, I regularly use HSR when I travel (taken TGV, Eurostar, ICE, Shinkansen, Shanghai Maglev demo line, Acela, etc.) and believe it is THE best way to move people, but that doesn't mean it should be built right now, in Alberta, UNLESS the big WE think there is enough public good, GHG reductions, shift of habits and redirection of capital to that type of project.
BUT, the business case, especially a premium class would be in question and there would still be a lack of connect ability upon arrival. Also, won't anyone think about the inter-city flights, pilots and crews?