In the News
In the News
Media coverage, analysis, and official sources on the Alto HSR route decision — curated for Eastern Ontario communities
2026
Mar 6, 2026
Grassroots opposition to Alto grows across eastern Ontario. At Varty Lake near Centreville, residents fear the southern route would bisect the lake with trains crossing every 20 minutes. Save Stone Mills founder Heather Coulson Levy calls it “devastation.” Lanark County resident Kim Davis warns the line would “sever eastern Ontario in half” and that most northern-route residents don’t yet know about the project. Save South Frontenac organizer Gord Boulton — whose 260-hectare property could be cut in half — notes there will be no level crossings anywhere: “This is not a train that has level crossings, so you cannot cross it with a vehicle anywhere unless there is either a tunnel or a bridge.” Conservative MPs Scott Reid and Michael Barrett both express opposition. Meanwhile, Kingston officials lobby for a station addition, and the Corridor Train Alliance argues for a 401-corridor alternative instead. U of T’s Prof. Matti Siemiatycki — an Alto academic advisor — says “they’ve underestimated the cost and overestimated the benefits” and warns ticket prices will likely be “slightly below flying,” not mass-market transit.
Mar 6, 2026
The Rideau Waterway Land Trust (RWLT) has protected environmentally sensitive lands in the Ottawa–Kingston corridor for over 30 years. 17 of the Trust’s 25 properties fall within the proposed Alto southern route. RWLT’s lands are part of a broader network strengthening ecological connectivity in the UNESCO Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve—a critical land bridge between Algonquin and Adirondack Parks containing more than 50 at-risk species. The letter warns the southern route would create a new barrier across this landscape; while mitigation is possible, wildlife crossings required for a permeable corridor may be prohibitively expensive or infeasible. RWLT urges the federal government to abandon or substantially reroute the southern corridor rather than let expediency lead to degradation of critical habitats and wildlife corridors.
Mar 6, 2026
Both morning and evening sessions of the Perth open house drew over 1,000 residents seeking answers about route impacts on properties and the environment. Attendees raised concerns about rail line cutting off access to rural properties and blocking smaller roads. Beckwith Deputy Reeve Brian Dowdall noted information was overwhelming and created distrust. Reverend Bruce North felt details were difficult to obtain. Perth Mayor Judy Brown praised the open house format. Alta expects consultations to finish at month’s end.
Mar 5, 2026
Last week, transportation researcher Stephen Wickens told Ontario Morning why Peterborough shouldn’t be part of the proposed Alto high-speed project. Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal disagrees — and explains why the city should be on the route.
Mar 5, 2026
Andrea Glenn, co-owner of Gibbs Honey — a third-generation apiary on the outskirts of Vankleek Hill — tells Moore in the AM how farming communities fear losing their businesses and land to Canada’s proposed high-speed train line.
Mar 4, 2026
Rural Ontario and Quebec residents voice growing backlash to Alto project. Gord Boulton, owner of Rockridge Outfitters in Battersea, Ont., worries the 1,000-hectare property will be severed by the rail line, destroying his hunting and fishing business. In eastern Ontario, at least five townships have passed resolutions opposing the southern route. Caroline Stephenson of Madoc fears track walls will block country roads and create bottlenecks for commuters and first responders. Quebec farmers protested in Mirabel over land acquisition and field access. Water management, wildlife migration, and ecological impacts raise additional concerns. Alto estimates total project cost at $60–90 billion.
Mar 4, 2026
The Star’s major national investigation into Alto’s rural impact. Follows Andrea Glenn and Russell Gibbs, operators of a 110-acre, third-generation apiary near Vankleek Hill, who fear the line could divide their community and harm their honey bees. Expropriation lawyer Ajay Gajaria (Aird & Berlis): “Both in dollar value terms and number of properties, this will be the largest value of expropriations in modern Canadian history.” Covers Bill C-15’s elimination of public hearing rights, the Mirabel parallel, and MP Scott Reid’s parliamentary petition.
Mar 2026
Farmtario’s agricultural investigation. Profiles Cory Kozmik, a third-generation dairy farmer in Asphodel-Norwood whose 460-acre Erdine Farms sits within the southern corridor — with up to 150 acres at risk of severance. Raises groundwater contamination, soil compaction, and infrastructure download costs to municipalities. Ontario Farmland Trust: land “rarely returns to its original productivity” after construction, and water table breaches can permanently remove land from agriculture. OFA’s Spoelstra quoted on the $51 billion agricultural economy at stake.
Feb 28, 2026
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture and l’Union des producteurs agricoles issued a joint resolution calling for an immediate suspension of the Alto project. OFA President Drew Spoelstra: “Ontario’s farmland is a strategic provincial and national asset… this sector contributes $51 billion annually to the provincial economy.” UPA President Martin Caron warned: “Mirabel Airport is an example that should not be repeated.” Resolution demands Alto avoid prime agricultural areas, prevent farm severance, protect drainage systems, and deliver fair compensation.
Feb 27, 2026
Detailed coverage of the Peterborough open house — 815 attendees across two sessions. Alto advisor Joel Wiebe: “There are a lot of things we’re learning that aren’t necessarily on official maps — environmentally sensitive areas, culturally sensitive areas.” Residents raised concerns about land expropriation, farmland impacts, and “last-mile” transit access. Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal compared the project to the St. Lawrence Seaway in scope. Wiebe stated there is “no secret alignment” and consultation feedback is “being reviewed by our engineers.”
Feb 27, 2026
Alto held public consultations in Peterborough the previous day. Ontario Morning spoke with Joel Wiebe, Alto’s Senior Advisor for Community Relations, to find out how the session went and how gathered feedback will influence the project.
Feb 26, 2026
CPAWS research finds Canada’s protected natural areas generate $10.9 billion in GDP, support 150,000 jobs, and return $1.4 billion in tax revenue — economic value not factored into Alto’s route cost-benefit analysis for the Frontenac Arch and Eastern Ontario wetlands.
Feb 26, 2026
Citizen researcher Andrew Hyett presents geological and hydrological findings on the Frontenac Arch corridor. His analysis challenges Alto’s cheaper-southern-route claim, finding that any crushed-rock savings are offset by chronic drainage costs Alto has not accounted for. Research published at altohsrcitizenresearch.ca.
Feb 26, 2026
Alto cancels a planned delegation to Rideau Lakes Township council, citing the township’s existing opposition position. Deputy Mayor Dunfield confirms a March 8 open house at Portland Community Centre. Several eastern Ontario municipalities have now taken formal positions opposing the southern corridor.
Feb 26, 2026
Ahead of the Peterborough open house, Ontario Morning spoke with Stephen Wickens, a transportation researcher who has been closely monitoring the Alto project’s development. He shared his insights on the initiative and explained why he believes Peterborough should not be part of the proposed route.
Feb 25, 2026
Farming families in Mirabel, Que. — many of whom had land expropriated for Mirabel Airport in 1969 and repurchased it — now face another expropriation for the rail corridor. Alto CEO Martin Imbleau: once a route is set, landowners cannot change it — “it becomes a transaction on the compensation.”
Feb 24, 2026
Belleville City Council approved a motion opposing the southern corridor. The route could affect 2,500–2,700 homeowners and up to eight Quinte Conservation land holdings. Motion sent to federal and provincial officials and neighbouring municipalities.
Feb 24, 2026
Detailed account of Councillor Brown’s resolution and the council debate. Mayor Neil Ellis acknowledged social and economic costs. Tyendinaga Township Mayor Claire Kennelly also opposes the southern route, saying it isn’t compatible with rural life. Alto responded that no final route has been confirmed and land needs will be much narrower than the current study corridor.
Feb 23, 2026
Residents in Vankleek Hill raise concerns the proposed Ottawa–Montreal corridor will disrupt farmland. The first major TV news report focused on agricultural impacts east of Ottawa.
Feb 20, 2026
Prescott-Russell MP Giovanna Mingarelli’s public response to the Alto project following the Vankleek Hill open house — a significant local political signal from within the Ottawa–Montreal corridor.
Feb 18, 2026
Rideau Lakes Township Council unanimously rejected the Alto HSR proposal, citing its rural character, environmentally sensitive areas, agricultural lands, and the UNESCO-designated Frontenac Arch Biosphere and Rideau Canal. Resolution forwarded to Minister MacKinnon, PM Carney, MPs Gerretsen and Reid, Premier Ford, MPP Jordan, Alto CEO Imbleau, Kingston Mayor Paterson, and neighbouring municipalities.
Feb 18, 2026
Kingston City Council voted 9–2 to support the southern route only if it includes a city station, formally opposing it otherwise — one of the clearest conditions-based responses from any municipality.
Feb 12, 2026
Mayor Bryan Paterson’s motion: support the southern route only if Kingston gets a station, oppose it otherwise. The all-or-nothing stakes for a regional hub.
Feb 9, 2026
Belleville Council received a request from Centre Hastings Township to support the northern route with a Madoc station — early inter-municipal coordination among communities north of the 401 before the formal consultation opened.
Feb 5, 2026
South Frontenac votes unanimously against the southern corridor — Mayor Vandewal calls the potential impact ‘generational devastation.’
February 2026
Peterborough on Alto’s Coldsprings station plans. City council approved $1M in planning funds for the area southeast of the city as the likely station site.
February 2026
Alto’s official Q&A on community concerns — including why the southern corridor is being studied. Alto’s answer: it passes through more densely populated areas.
February 2026
Stone Mills Township passes a motion opposing the southern route. Residents raised concerns about the removal of public hearing rights under Bill C-15 and their ability to challenge expropriation.
February 2026
South Frontenac unanimously rejects the southern corridor, arguing it should be rerouted within Kingston’s boundary. MP Scott Reid warns either route may end VIA Rail service through Kingston.
Jan 30, 2026
Community opposition and unresolved questions following the January 29 Alto open house in Vankleek Hill — local concerns raised with Alto at the first in-person event in the region.
Jan 28, 2026
Randall Denley: saving one hour on a two-hour trip for $60–90B doesn’t justify the disruption — and Alto has never built a kilometre of high-speed rail. May require subscription.
Jan 21, 2026
CBC’s consultation-launch explainer. CEO Martin Imbleau acknowledges Alto will “definitely need a lot of land” and expropriation is on the table.
Jan 20, 2026
Kingston MP Mark Gerretsen urging residents along the potential southern corridor to share concerns directly with Alto before the March 29 deadline.
Jan 13, 2026
Jerome Gessaroli (Macdonald-Laurier Institute) argues Alto faces a costly fiscal reckoning — capital costs of $250M–$375M per minute of travel time saved, well above EU averages. Warns accelerating construction locks in commitments before routes, costs and risks are understood.
Jan 12, 2026
CTV Ottawa covers Alto’s public consultation launch in Ottawa — the open house format and key resident questions ahead of the Ottawa–Montreal first segment.
Jan 10, 2026
Examination of financial risk with Siemiatycski and others — questioning opportunity costs and whether Alto’s $60–90B price tag has been adequately stress-tested.
Jan 2, 2026
Matti Siemiatycski — U of T Infrastructure Institute director and Alto academic advisor — argues the project lacks a publicly released business case with a final route, budget, or ridership forecast. Says $90B would deliver far greater benefit invested in urban transit.
January 2026
The official consultation map showing the northern and southern corridor study areas between Ottawa and Peterborough. Mark locations and submit comments directly — the most important tool for affected residents before the deadline.
January 2026
Transport Action Canada’s analysis of the consultation launch — commentary on Bill C-15 expropriation powers and the 10-kilometre study corridors. Urges participation and the “Kingston Hub” strategy.
January 2026
Side-by-side analysis of both corridor options — the southern route “runs closer to more people” while the northern route traverses the Canadian Shield.
January 2026
Plain-language briefing from the Ontario Landowners Association on what Bill C-15’s new expropriation powers mean in practice, with a firsthand account from the Ottawa consultation.
2026
Ottawa Citizen opinion examining the case for and against Alto from an Ottawa perspective — governance questions and what residents should expect as consultation advances. May require a subscription.
2026
Matti Siemiatycski — U of T Infrastructure Institute director and Alto academic advisor — argues the project needs a credible business case before political commitment is locked in. Notable: he sits on Alto’s own advisory board.
2026
Selley on a McGill survey of nearly 7,000 corridor residents: over half wouldn’t use the train regularly, citing ticket price. Questions whether ridership assumptions underpin a viable business case.
Ongoing
Alto’s official project timeline from the 2025 Cadence selection through to the January 2026 consultation launch.
2025 and Earlier
Jul 29, 2025
Access-to-information documents reveal the Cadence bid was so low that government evaluators triple-checked whether it could be delivered. Cadence won primarily on its “very competitive commercial package” — worth up to 30 of 120 evaluation points. U of T’s Matti Siemiatycski warns low bids typically see costs rise, and without the bid contents being public, tracking will be impossible. Essential context for the $60–90B project cost range. May require a subscription.
Dec 2025
Recap of the December announcement with historical context — from the 2021 proposal through Cadence selection and the Ottawa–Montreal first-segment decision.
Dec 2025
Transport Action Canada urging residents to “come forward with as much information as possible regarding community assets” — one of the clearest engagement calls from an established transit advocacy group.
Dec 12, 2025
Official press release confirming Ottawa–Montreal as the first segment, the January–March 2026 public consultation, and a 2029–2030 construction start target.
Dec 12, 2025
Overview of the December announcement: Cadence consortium, the accelerated timeline from Major Projects Office designation, and why Ottawa–Montreal was prioritised first.
Dec 15, 2025
Coverage of Bill C-15’s grant of sweeping new powers to Alto — including the right to enter and survey private property without consent or advance notice.
Dec 23, 2025
Legal analysis of Bill C-15’s three major changes: elimination of public hearing rights, expanded survey access, and the new expropriation framework.
Dec 30, 2025
The Davies Howe analysis mirrored on Mondaq. Confirms Bill C-15 reduces opportunities for landowners to challenge or delay expropriation.
Nov 25, 2025
The Globe on Bill C-15’s sweeping new expropriation powers — including survey rights on private land without consent.
Nov 20, 2025
HSR advocacy overview of Bill C-15’s rail provisions — a useful counterpoint to the critical legal analyses.
2025–26
Federal budget documentation: $597M allocated to Alto for 2025–26 and the overall $3.9B six-year commitment.
Mar 24, 2025
The EOWC writes to Alto CEO Martin Imbleau opposing any route bypassing 800,000+ residents. SDG Warden Martin Lang: the rail will cut up farms and townships, just as the 401 did.
Feb 2025
Transport Action Canada’s detailed analysis of the February 2025 Cadence announcement. Raises serious concerns: Alto published — then withdrew — a timeline showing construction unlikely before the early 2030s and passengers not until the 2040s. Notes Cadence was chosen primarily on commercial price, not technical merit. Flags that Canada still lacks national HSR standards, without which contracts cannot be properly specified. Recommends visible early works to maintain political viability. Consortium: CDPQ Infra, AtkinsRéalis, Keolis, SYSTRA, SNCF Voyageurs, Air Canada.
Jul 12, 2021
David Reevely’s early investigation when the project was still “high-frequency rail” with a $6–12 billion price tag. U of T’s Siemiatycski warned “costs tend to be underestimated and benefits overestimated.” Essential reading for tracking how the project’s scope and cost have escalated to $60–90B today. May require a subscription.
Videos
Videos
Video coverage, community documentation, and related material on the Alto HSR project and its impacts
Video Coverage
MacGillivray Road Flood Documentation
Two examples of flooding near the crossing of MacGillivray Rd and the Cataraqui Trail. Video of the most recent washout of MacGillivray Rd (2019). Photos of flooding (2017) Washouts occurred due to beaver dam breaks in 1986, 2002, 2013 and 2019. This is a frequent flood zone due to high water flow involving the CONFLUENCE of the creek from Hinge Lake and the Cataraqui Trail (railway) ditch carrying water from the west. The CONFLUENCE of these two creeks is at the crossing of MacGillivray Rd and the Cataraqui Trail. Water flows on both sides of the Cat Trail in this section. The flow continues to Stonehouse Lake and from there to other lakes leading to Opinicon Lake and the Rideau canal. Much of the time, these two creeks look like small ditches. They are waterways, not ditches.
Resources and Links
Resources and Links
You are not alone. Community organisations, conservation bodies, farm advocates, heritage groups, and researchers are all watching this project — and many are actively raising concerns.
Browse by category to find groups aligned with your concerns. Connect with community opposition groups to coordinate. Share heritage and environmental resources with elected officials. Use the HS2 precedents to make your case for proper process before route selection.
Citizen-Led Opposition Groups 7
Organizing on the ground across the corridor
These groups are organizing on the ground — sharing information, coordinating with municipal councils, and amplifying community voices in the consultation process. Connect with the group nearest you.
Natural Heritage Organizations 7
Organizations with stakes in the corridor landscape
The proposed southern corridor runs through one of the most ecologically significant landscapes in eastern North America — the Frontenac Arch UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which connects the Canadian Shield to the Adirondacks. Three Key Biodiversity Areas have been formally identified within the Biosphere region, with a fourth pending. These organizations are authoritative voices on what is at stake.
Historic Sites in the Corridor 2
UNESCO and nationally designated heritage sites at risk
The Rideau Canal is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Canadian National Historic Site. Any rail infrastructure in its buffer zone triggers international heritage obligations and potential UNESCO notification requirements. The case for a heritage impact assessment before route selection is strong.
Policy, Law & Independent Research 5
Legal framework directly relevant to ALTO
Understanding the legal framework is essential. Bill C-15 grants ALTO expanded expropriation powers. The Building Canada Act designates HSR as a project of national interest. These designations have real consequences for landowners — knowing the framework is the first step to challenging it effectively.
UK’s HS2 — Cautionary Lessons 3
Directly applicable to ALTO planning
The UK’s High Speed 2 project is the closest international parallel to ALTO — a government-led, high-speed rail mega-project that experienced catastrophic cost overruns (from £32bn to over £100bn), governance failures, and community devastation along its route. The lessons are directly applicable here.
Make your voice heard before March 29
Submit to the ALTO consultation, write to your MP, connect with a community group, and share these resources with your neighbours. The consultation window is closing — use it.
Who to Contact
Who to Contact
Reach decision-makers at every level of government. The more voices they hear, the harder it is to ignore.
Write in your own words. State your name, your municipality, and whether you own land or property in the affected area. Be specific about your concerns — expropriation risk, the UNESCO Frontenac Arch Biosphere, the Rideau Canal World Heritage Site, the need for environmental studies before route selection, or the lack of accessible rural consultation.
Local & Adjacent MPs
Why this matters: ALTO is a federal Crown corporation. The federal Minister of Transport has ultimate authority over the project’s mandate, route selection, and whether environmental and Indigenous consultation requirements are met. Your local MPs can directly lobby the Minister on your behalf.
On record opposing ALTO. Kramp-Neuman has formally announced her opposition to the proposed Alto HSR project as it affects both corridor options through her region. Mail by Canada Post may be sent postage-free to any MP at the Parliament Hill address above.
On record opposing ALTO. Reid is a founding member of the Ontario Landowners Association and has consistently advocated for property rights. Well positioned to raise concerns about Bill C-15 expropriation powers and lack of rural consultation.
Gerretsen has publicly advocated for the southern route and a Kingston stop. His office is a useful pressure point to ensure any southern route commitment comes with community protections and environmental safeguards.
On record opposing ALTO. Barrett’s riding includes Rideau Lakes Township — directly in the proposed southern corridor. Can raise accountability concerns about the adequacy of ALTO’s environmental assessments and expropriation framework.
Cabinet Ministers
Why this matters: Several cabinet ministers have direct jurisdiction over issues triggered by the southern route — environmental assessment, agricultural land, heritage sites, Parks Canada, and rural community impacts.
Key ask: Demand that environmental and heritage impact studies be completed before route selection, not after. Request confirmation that Bill C-15 expropriation powers will be expressly constrained for this project.
Key ask: Request confirmation that a federal impact assessment will be triggered before route selection, and ask whether UNESCO has been formally notified of the potential impact on the Rideau Canal buffer zone.
Key ask: Request that Agriculture Canada conduct a formal agricultural land impact assessment for the southern corridor before route selection.
Key ask: Request a heritage impact assessment under the Historic Sites and Monuments Act and ask that the Historic Sites and Monuments Board formally review the route’s potential impacts on nationally designated heritage places.
Belanger’s mandate is rural community development and economic wellbeing. Displacement of rural residents, disruption of agricultural operations, and fragmentation of rural land falls squarely within his brief.
The southern route would disrupt tourism infrastructure in the Rideau Lakes corridor, Frontenac Arch region, and 1000 Islands gateway — one of Canada’s most significant heritage tourism destinations.
Opposition Critics
Why opposition matters: Opposition critics have a dedicated mandate to scrutinise government projects. A well-documented briefing to the shadow critic for Transport, Environment, or Agriculture can trigger committee hearings, formal questions in the House, and media pressure the government must respond to.
Key ask: Demand that the government commit to route transparency and prohibit use of Bill C-15 expropriation provisions without a full environmental and heritage impact review.
Key ask: Can call for a committee study into ALTO’s route selection process, expropriation powers, and public consultation failures.
Key ask: Formally ask whether a federal impact assessment has been triggered under the Impact Assessment Act and whether UNESCO has been notified of risks to the Rideau Canal corridor.
Key ask: Push for a formal agricultural land impact study and raise the risk to food security and farm viability posed by the route’s land requirements.
Key ask: Press the government on whether Historic Sites and Monuments Act protections apply to buffer zones along the southern route, and demand a heritage impact assessment before route selection.
Key ask: The Frontenac Arch Biosphere is one of Canada’s most ecologically significant conservation corridors. Push for a Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act review of the southern route’s impacts.
Key ask: Call publicly on the government to halt route selection until a full public consultation, environmental assessment, and agricultural impact study are completed — and commit to no forced expropriation of family farms.
Key ask: Push for committee review of the route selection process, specifically asking whether the Impact Assessment Act applies and whether community consultation requirements have been properly met.
Key ask: Formally ask the government whether Rideau Canal buffer zones and Class 1 farmland have been factored into the southern route’s evaluation, and call for a community liaison process before route decisions are finalised.
Key ask: As a longstanding champion of environmental protection and UNESCO heritage designations, May is well-placed to formally call for a federal impact assessment before route selection and to raise the risks to the Frontenac Arch Biosphere and Rideau Canal World Heritage buffer zone on the floor of the House.
Local MPPs
Why this matters: Ontario MPPs covering the affected ridings can press the Ford government’s cabinet to demand that Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act, Ontario Heritage Act, and planning law protections apply to any federal rail project before route finalization.
Jordan represents a large rural riding with direct exposure to the southern route. As a PC member, well-placed to push back on inadequate federal consultation and demand that provincial heritage and environmental frameworks are respected.
Clark covers the southern portion of Rideau Lakes township and has a long history in municipal and provincial advocacy.
Particularly important: As Parliamentary Assistant to the provincial Minister of Transportation, Bresee has a direct line to the Minister’s office and has publicly acknowledged following ALTO consultations closely.
Ontario Cabinet Ministers
Why this matters: The Ford government holds significant tools to protect Ontario’s interests: Environmental Assessment requirements, the Ontario Heritage Act, provincial agricultural land protections, and coordination with federal regulators.
Ford’s Intergovernmental Affairs mandate gives him standing to directly engage Prime Minister Carney and ALTO on behalf of Ontario. Ask him to formally request that Ontario’s environmental and heritage assessment laws apply in full before any federal route is approved.
Key ask: Request that the Ministry formally assert Ontario’s jurisdiction under its own Environmental Assessment Act and demand that no provincial land rights or designations be overridden without full provincial review.
Key ask: Ask McCarthy to direct the Rideau Valley and Cataraqui Region Conservation Authorities to formally assess and report on any southern route impacts before ALTO finalises its corridor.
Key ask: Under the Farming and Food Production Protection Act, the Ministry should assess and formally oppose any expropriation of prime agricultural land without demonstrated necessity and a robust alternatives review.
Key ask: Request that she formally assess the rural economic impact and advocate for meaningful rural consultation before route confirmation.
Key ask: Ask Cho to conduct a tourism economic impact assessment and advocate for protection of the Rideau Canal, Frontenac Arch Biosphere, and 1000 Islands gateway.
Municipal Councils
South Frontenac and Rideau Lakes have already voted unanimously to oppose the southern route. Stone Mills residents are also raising the alarm. Your council members need to hear from constituents to sustain and amplify their opposition. Councils can pass formal resolutions, engage legal counsel, and speak directly to provincial and federal ministers.