To the Editor,
I’m torn about the Alto high‑speed rail proposal. I support the idea of fast, reliable rail that could benefit a large share of Canada’s population, and I recognize the value of shifting travel away from highways and short‑haul flights. But I also have serious concerns about how this project is being approached.
The proposed corridor through Prescott–Russell crosses multi‑generational farmland and several sensitive ecological areas, including Voyageur Provincial Park, the Alfred Bog, and the Larose Forest. These are not marginal spaces; they are some of the most important natural and agricultural assets in our region. If Alto moves forward, I believe the route should follow Highway 417 as closely as possible. Concentrating transportation impacts in an existing corridor would avoid many of the most sensitive habitats and reduce the number of farms and properties newly severed. I say this even though such an alignment could put my own home at risk of expropriation — because the broader principle of minimizing new disruption matters.
I have signed the Alt‑No petition to send a signal — not to stop high‑speed rail, but to insist that megaprojects be planned transparently, democratically, and with genuine respect for the people they affect. My concerns about the rapid passage of legislation that expands government power deserve to be heard, not dismissed.
At the same time, communities deserve clarity about what benefits Alto will actually deliver and what mitigations are possible for its impacts. Will our electricity grid be upgraded to support electrified rail, and could the corridor also carry new transmission lines that strengthen Eastern Ontario’s energy backbone? What is the plan for connecting small towns now that we no longer have Greyhound service? Will VIA Rail be enhanced or integrated so rural residents aren’t left behind? Could a wildlife corridor be established along the Alto route, with proper crossings, to reconnect habitats that are already badly fragmented? And will Alto be affordable for the very communities it passes through?
Responsible infrastructure also requires strong democratic safeguards. Recent federal legislation, including Bill C‑5 and the new Building Canada Act, centralizes authority over major projects and accelerates approvals. Bill C‑15, now before the Senate, goes further: it would allow ministers to exempt individuals or organizations from certain federal laws, and it proposes significant changes to the Federal Expropriation Act for high‑speed rail projects. In her recent press conference, Elizabeth May raised concerns about the pace and scope of these bills — including C‑5, C‑15, and C‑14, which makes sweeping changes to the Criminal Code — noting that Parliament is being asked to process major legislative changes at unprecedented speed. Here in Ontario, Bill 5 established new economic development zones and expanded provincial authority over local planning decisions, reflecting similar concerns about centralized power and reduced community input.
Many of us are paying attention now because a megaproject is coming through our region. I hope we carry that awareness forward — not only for our own sake, but in solidarity with communities who have long faced disproportionate and negative impacts. A healthy democracy depends on engaged citizens, fair representation, and a willingness to look out for one another.
Sincerely,
Thaila Riden
Vankleek Hill
