On Monday, June 22, the Government of Canada and Alto released Alto’s What We Heard Report, which summarizes feedback gathered during the first phase of public consultations on the proposed Toronto–Québec City high-speed rail project. On Thursday, June 25, Prescott-Russell-Cumberland Member of Parliament (MP) Giovanna Mingarelli issued a press release in response to the report and a description of her efforts to address the needs of constituents regarding the high-speed rail project.
For Prescott–Russell–Cumberland, the report addresses several issues residents have raised directly with me since the beginning: land acquisition, farmland protection, access to agricultural operations, impacts on private property, road access, emergency response times, environmental concerns, and the future of the Prescott–Russell Trail.
These concerns affect municipalities, farmers, families, landowners, businesses, and rural communities across our riding.
“Since the beginning of this process, I have shared these concerns directly with Alto and the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, and I will continue to push for clear answers, a transparent process, and route options that minimize impacts on people, farms, properties and communities,” Mingarelli said.
The Minister of Transport has also directed Alto to assess a southern route option between Peterborough and Ottawa, including a potential stop in Kingston, subject to technical feasibility and project requirements. This direction confirms that route planning is still ongoing, and that technical, environmental, and community considerations continue to be part of the process before a preferred alignment is identified with the least possible impact on the communities involved.
Alto has committed to limiting impacts, prioritizing negotiated agreements, offering fair long-term compensation, maintaining adapted road access for agricultural operations, and supporting agricultural productivity. Mingarelli said she will be monitoring those commitments closely as the route is narrowed.
On June 16, Alto hosted a procurement round table in Hawkesbury, to discuss opportunities with local businesses, suppliers and stakeholders.
“I will continue working to ensure that local workers, contractors, suppliers and industries are aware of future procurement opportunities and positioned to participate where possible,” Mingarelli said.
The next major step for our region will come in Fall 2026, when Alto is expected to present a narrowed corridor of no more than one kilometre for the Central Segment, which includes the Ottawa–Montréal portion of the project. Alto has also stated that this next phase will include further public consultation and a targeted information campaign for landowners, which will be especially important for affected property owners, farmers and rural residents. Mingarelli said her office will continue to press to ensure this outreach is direct, bilingual, accessible and not limited to online communication.
“I expect Alto to clearly explain which route options were studied, how local impacts were assessed, and how concerns about farmland, road access, emergency response, the Prescott–Russell Trail and environmental protection will be addressed,” Mingarelli emphasized.
“The work ahead is clear. In the coming months, I will continue to press for direct landowner communication, meaningful local consultation, protection of farmland and the Prescott–Russell Trail, clear answers on compensation, and concrete opportunities for local businesses and workers,” added Mingarelli.
She concluded that Prescott–Russell–Cumberland deserves a process that is transparent, respectful and grounded in local realities.
“That remains my priority as this project moves into its next phase,” Mingarelli remarked.
Alto’s What We Heard Report can be found here:
Insights from Public Consultations
