Bill C-15 concerns and regional outreach shape Rideau Lakes Alto opposition
RIDEAU LAKES — Rideau Lakes council is stepping up its response to the proposed Alto high-speed rail project, directing staff to work with neighbouring municipalities on a joint statement opposing the southern corridor while also urging the Senate to reconsider federal legislation tied to the plan.
The discussion took place during the March 9 committee of the whole meeting, where councillors considered a verbal update from the township’s Alto working group.
Council supported a motion asking staff to contact municipalities within the southern study corridor to determine whether a joint statement opposing that route can be prepared and released ahead of the federal consultation deadline of March 29.
If other municipalities agree, the statement will be brought back to Rideau Lakes council for approval on March 23.
Coun. Dustin Bulloch said the goal is to focus on municipalities directly affected by the southern route currently under study.
“I think we want to make sure we’re focusing on what impacts us directly right now,” Bulloch said. “Other municipalities in the northern route have had more time to think about this.”
Coun. Paula Banks said outreach to other municipalities has revealed many communities are still unfamiliar with the scale of the proposed project.
“In an effort to reach out to other municipalities, I’ve found that many of them are unaware of the train and what this train actually is,” she said. “A lot of them feel that it’s just a track and they don’t really understand what’s going to happen in their municipality.”
Banks said members of the working group have also been speaking with mayors and councillors in other jurisdictions, including Quebec, but are concentrating on the southern corridor first because of the potential impact on Rideau Lakes.
Coun. Linda Carr questioned whether municipalities along the northern corridor should also be included, but members agreed that focusing on the southern route would make it easier to coordinate a response before the consultation deadline.
Coun. Jeff Banks voted against the motion, saying he opposes the high-speed rail project entirely.
“I’m not going to support this motion because I will not support any route,” he said. “I don’t want it and I don’t need it in this country.”
The motion passed with only Jeff Banks opposed.
Bill C-15
Council also supported a second motion asking the Senate of Canada to return Bill C-15 to the House of Commons for further debate and consultation.
The resolution states that provisions in the bill could allow the federal government to proceed with land acquisition for major infrastructure projects, including the Alto high-speed rail corridor, before environmental reviews and full consultation are completed.
Paula Banks said Senate hearings on the bill are expected to begin March 10 and 11, and returning it to the House would allow more time for public input.
“Our best chance to slow this down and get proper information for our taxpayers is to have the Senate send this bill back,” she said.
The resolution will be forwarded to the Prime Minister, the federal minister of transport, members of Parliament, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and municipalities across the province.
Mayor Arie Hoogenboom said the township is also preparing correspondence to senators outlining council’s concerns about the legislation.
Keep connected to your community—Read the latest Rideau Lakes news.
How can Rideau Lakes council coordinate anything when they cannot coordinate themselves.