Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry (SDG) Counties Council weighed in on the proposed Alto high-speed rail project, which could reshape transportation across eastern Ontario. During its Monday, March 16 meeting, Council reviewed plans for the federal government-backed high-speed rail initiative, which aims to connect major centres, including Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal.
While the project is still in the early consultation stage, preliminary corridor mapping indicates that a portion of the route could clip the Township of North Glengarry, near Highway 417, with crossings at County Roads 34 and 23.
In response, SDG Director of Planning and Economic Development Services Peter Young recommended council submit formal comments before the original March 29 consultation deadline, emphasizing the need to protect existing rail services and local infrastructure.
Councillor Martin Lang said many of the concerns brought to him involve the high-speed rail service carving up farms in the region, potentially cutting properties in two if the line runs through them.
Councillor Tony Fraser echoed those concerns, questioning, “What is Alto’s understanding of the gravity of chopping up farmland, separating communities, and dividing municipalities? Are they concerned about it, or were they conveying the idea that the plan is going to work well for our region?”
Among the key concerns is ensuring current passenger rail options, particularly those serving the communities of Alexandria and Cornwall, are not diminished as high-speed service is introduced. SDG relies heavily on existing interprovincial routes for economic activity and the movement of goods.
Councillors are urging that any infrastructure impacts tied to the new corridor, including road crossings and rerouting, be fully funded by Alto rather than downloaded onto municipalities. Additional recommendations called for community benefit agreements with affected areas and early coordination with local emergency services to prepare for potential incidents along the route.
Council unanimously approved the proposal without further discussion.
