Alto rail land acquisition would favour negotiated agreements, with expropriation possible if talks fail
REGIONAL — ALTO says the corridor for its proposed high-speed rail project through eastern Ontario is expected to be about 60 metres wide and that land would primarily be acquired through negotiated agreements with property owners.
The Crown corporation also acknowledged that expropriation could occur if negotiations fail, though the process could not begin until the federal impact assessment is complete.
The clarifications came in response to questions from Hometown News as municipalities and landowners across the region continue raising concerns about potential impacts on farmland and rural communities.
Crystal Jongeward, senior advisor of corporate communications with Alto, said the corridor estimate reflects early planning assumptions.
“We anticipate the corridor will be around 60m wide,” Jongeward said in an email to Hometown News on March 12. “I would stress that we will be able to provide more specific information on details like this once the corridor has been refined.”
The proposed rail network between Toronto and Quebec City has been estimated to cost between $60 billion and $90 billion and is currently undergoing federal environmental review and public consultation. Two possible corridors are under study through eastern Ontario, commonly referred to as northern and southern routes.
ALTO has also extended the timeline for residents to submit feedback through its online consultation portal, where the project’s interactive map has received more than 10,000 comments.
“Yesterday we extended the consultation until April 24, 2026,” Jongeward said.
It was previously March 29.
“We are only consulting on areas and options that fall within the corridor under study,” she added.
Land acquisition and expropriation
Property acquisition has become one of the most closely watched aspects of the project as residents try to understand how land could be obtained for the rail line.
Jongeward said Alto intends to seek voluntary agreements with landowners wherever possible.
“When it is necessary to acquire land, Alto will favour negotiated, voluntary agreements with property owners based on respect and open communication,” she said.
She confirmed that expropriation remains a possibility if agreements cannot be reached.
“Alto will first pursue negotiated agreements with property owners and may acquire these properties before the Impact Assessment is completed,” Jongeward said. “If agreements cannot be reached, a Notice of Intent to Expropriate may be issued.”
However, that step cannot occur until the federal review process is finished.
Jongeward also said proposed federal legislation known as Bill C-15 would not give Alto authority to expropriate private land.
Bill C-15 proposes amendments to the Impact Assessment Act, the federal law that governs environmental reviews of major infrastructure projects. The Alto rail proposal must complete that process before the government decides whether the project will proceed.
Early land purchases possible
Jongeward said there may also be situations where land is purchased earlier in the planning process.
“There is a scenario where Alto might acquire land in the earlier phases of the project,” she said.
For example, if property within a potential corridor becomes available for sale and appears likely to be required, Alto could purchase it and later resell the land if it is not needed once the final route is determined.
Final decisions on property requirements will depend on the alignment selected through the federal review process.
According to Alto’s project website, a preferred corridor is expected to be identified by the end of the year.
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