Groups opposing the Alto project want a commitment from municipal election candidates.
Alt-NO and the United Against Alto Coalition have created a municipal election initiative to elicit and share information about candidates’ positions on Alto. The initiative has been introduced to candidates in all municipalities across the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. It includes a request for candidates to sign a pledge. It reads as follows;
“As a candidate for office in my Township, I recognize that municipalities have a legitimate interest in how major infrastructure projects are planned, assessed and implemented.
In my role as a member of my Township’s Council, if elected, I PLEDGE TO:
1. Defend Property Owners & Communities
Support property owners and communities of my municipality against the destructive impacts associated with the proposed Alto project, including expropriation.
2. Advocate for alternative transit investment
Encourage alternative transit investment, including upgrades to existing passenger rail and new regional transit options, that benefits and strengthens all communities.
3. Demand Full Municipal Impact Information
Require comprehensive information from Alto regarding potential impacts on municipal roads, bridges, drainage systems, emergency services, taxpayers and other municipal infrastructure before the municipality enters into voluntary agreements or provides voluntary permissions connected to the project.
4. Defend Meaningful Municipal Participation
Advocate for meaningful municipal participation, transparency and public accountability in decisions that could have significant long-term consequences for my Township and its residents, working with neighbouring municipalities and organizations to defend common interests such as protecting the environment and agricultural land.
5. Protect Municipal Resources
Ensure reasonable safeguards so that no municipal resources or assets – taxpayer funds, staff, infrastructure, services – are used to subsidise costs or liabilities arising from the Alto project.
6. Keep Residents Informed
Support transparent communication with residents regarding significant project developments, requests made of the municipality and potential impacts on the community, including making public and rejecting any demand by Alto to sign any type of non-disclosure agreements by any members of council or municipal administration.
I confirm that I have read, understood and agreed to the public commitments outlined in this pledge. If elected, I commit to advancing these principles through my role as a member of my Township’s Council.
By signing this pledge, I publicly affirm these commitments and authorize my name, municipality, and signatory status to be published.”
The second part of the initiative is a municipal candidate questionnaire where candidates are asked about their level of support or opposition to the Alto project, for their views on municipal involvement in project planning, and what specific actions they would take if elected.
