REGIONAL — The mayors and reeves of 12 municipalities along the proposed southern corridor of the ALTO high-speed rail project have formally united in opposition to the route, representing a combined population of approximately 215,000 residents.
The group, led by the Township of Rideau Lakes, is raising concerns about the project’s business case, local impacts and lack of clear benefits for rural communities.
The estimated $90 billion project lacks a transparent and credible business case, local leaders say, pointing to the absence of publicly available ridership and demand data. They also question why alternatives, including use of the Highway 401 corridor, have not been fully explored.
“We are not opposed to high-speed rail in principle,” said Mayor Arie Hoogenboom. “However, we are deeply concerned the current proposal would bring significant disruption to our communities with little to no benefit for local residents.”
The coalition has identified several key concerns:
- Expropriation: Residents could face loss of private land under federal legislation without clear compensation details.
- Property values: Municipal leaders say uncertainty and potential land impacts could reduce property values and affect the local tax base.
- Development delays: Ongoing uncertainty around the corridor alignment has already affected building permits and construction timelines.
- Environmental impact: The proposed route could affect agricultural lands and environmentally sensitive areas, including the Rideau Canal and Frontenac Arch Biosphere.
- Community division: Leaders say the route risks physically dividing rural communities.
- Limited access: No stops are currently planned along the southern corridor, limiting local benefit.
In a joint letter, the mayors and reeves are calling on the federal government to pause further development of the project and undertake broader consultation with rural municipalities, along with a re-evaluation of environmental and economic impacts.
“We urge Prime Minister Mark Carney to reconsider the proposed route, halt further development, and engage in meaningful dialogue with rural Ontario,” Hoogenboom said. “The livelihoods of our residents and the future of our communities are at stake.”
The letter has been sent to federal Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon and Members of Parliament representing communities along the proposed corridor.
Signatories include:
- John Logel, Mayor of Alnwick/Haldimand Township,
- Claire Kennelly, Mayor of Tyendinaga Township,
- Jim Harrison, Mayor of City of Quinte West,
- Arie Hoogenboom, Mayor of Rideau Lakes Township,
- John Wise, Mayor of Stone Mills Township,
- Ron Vandewal, Mayor of South Frontenac Township,
- Brant Burrow, Mayor of Elizabethtown-Kitley Township,
- Michael Cameron, Mayor of Merrickville-Wolford,
- Robin Jones, Mayor of the Village of Westport,
- Stephen Fournier, Reeve of Drummond/North Elmsley Township,
- Karen Jennings, Reeve of Montague Township
- Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Mayor of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Township
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