During the past two weeks, certain local property owners have begun receiving notices that Alto, the federal crown corporation, proposing to build a high-speed passenger rail link between Ottawa and Montréal, seeking permission to collect environmental data from their properties.
The brochures specifically indicate that participation is voluntary and financial compensation will be offered. The brochures also state that the affected property owners will receive further information by mail in the days ahead. A message on the brochure also emphasizes that the notice does not necessarily mean that the train route will pass through or near the property, or that the property will have to be acquired.
The notices urge recipients to contact Alto with their questions at 1-855-888-4421, or [email protected].
Meanwhile, ALTNO, the organization opposed to the Alto project, has created a map on its website which allows property owners who did receive a brochure about the collection of environmental data to report if they have received a brochure. As of March 31, 24 property owners between Edwards in the west and Saint-André-d’Argenteuil in the east, and 10 of the properties were around Vankleek Hill, ranging from Caledonia Front to the west and Stardale to the east. Three of the properties are within two kilometres of Vankleek Hill around the northwest corner of town. The map, which is regularly updated as more information is submitted is accessible at https://www.altno.ca/accessmap.
