Rideau Lakes committee of the whole is recommending another $5,000 to support the township’s No ALTO Working Group as opposition continues to the proposed high-speed rail corridor through Eastern Ontario.
Committee unanimously endorsed the additional funding June 22. If approved by council, it will bring the township’s total contribution to the working group to $10,000 this year.
The additional funding will support the group’s participation in the June 10 demonstration at Parliament Hill, the production, distribution and sale of No ALTO signs, and other public awareness activities related to the proposed rail project.
Coun. Paula Banks said the working group continues to educate residents about the potential impacts of the proposed rail corridor.
“We have been selling signs and we have been giving signs for really central areas, but when we’re going door to door, there are still people who don’t understand the effects ALTO is going to have on our area,” Banks said.
She said a recent announcement that ALTO will study a southern route between Peterborough and Ottawa, including a potential stop in Kingston, has heightened her concerns.
“I think that we’re in more jeopardy than ever, actually, because I do not believe that they will go down the 401 corridor, and it makes me even more nervous that they are going to go from Ottawa to Kingston through Rideau Lakes,” she said.
Coun. Marcia Maxwell asked for clarification on how the funding is being tracked, noting council had already approved $5,000 earlier this year. She also questioned whether other municipalities involved in opposing the project were contributing.
Clerk Mary Ellen Truelove said all expenses and revenue from sign sales are processed through the township’s budget. At the time of her most recent review, she said sign sales had recovered most of their costs, leaving about $500 in outstanding expenses.
Banks said the funding is specific to Rideau Lakes’ working group, although it continues to collaborate with municipalities in Ontario and Quebec opposing the project.
Coun. Sue Dunfield questioned whether council should wait before committing more funding, citing reports of a possible provincial election in Quebec that could affect the project.
“Depending on what happens there the project might actually get cancelled,” she said.
Mayor Arie Hoogenboom responded that while political developments could have an impact, he was not convinced a provincial election would alter the federal government’s direction on the project.
Deputy Mayor Jeff Banks supported the additional funding, saying a Kingston route could ultimately increase project costs and still result in the rail corridor crossing Rideau Lakes.
“If it goes to Kingston, the shortest route to Ottawa is up through our township, and it’s going to cut us in half again,” he said. “I firmly believe that we spend a little bit of money on this and help keep the momentum going on this and tell the federal government we’re not happy with it.”
Coun. Debbie Hutchings also supported the motion.
“Anything that we can do to help our township not be cut in half or farmland be taken, $5,000 is nothing compared to what could happen to us,” she said.
The committee approved the recommendation unanimously. It now heads to council for final approval.
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