On Wednesday, July 29, 11 Progressive Conservative (PC) Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP) from across Eastern Ontario issued a statement expressing skepticism about the proposed Alto high-speed rail project.
The MPP’s who signed the statement include Stephane Sarrazin of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, and Nolan Quinn of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. The statement was issued by the Eastern Ontario PC MPP’s following an announcement by the federal government that it will not support a provincial proposal to expand the Billy Bishop (Island) Airport on the Toronto waterfront. There was widespread public opposition in Toronto to the idea of expanding the airport.
The statement from the MPP’s is;
“Investments that strengthen Ontario’s economy, improve transportation and create jobs need to reflect the priorities and needs of rural communities, farmers, families, and local businesses. Public confidence in major infrastructure projects depends on meaningful consultation. In the case of Alto, too many questions remain unanswered. Too many voices have been ignored.
If Alto is to proceed, local voices impacted by this project deserve to see their feedback reflected in the project’s planning, route selection, and delivery. The federal government must ensure that any potential future rail project minimizes impacts on farmland and is supported by the people affected. We will continue to stand with our municipalities, farmers, landowners, and residents.”
The other MPP’s who signed the statement are; Tyler Allsopp (Bay of Quinte), Ric Bresee (Hastings-Lennox and Addington), Steve Clark (Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes), George Darouze (Carleton), Billy Denault (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke), John Jordan (Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston), David Piccini (Northumberland-Peterborough South), Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock), and Dave Smith (Peterborough-Kawartha). Piccini and Quinn are also cabinet ministers.
Alt-no, the main organization of individuals opposed to the Alto project is supportive of the statement issued by the Eastern Ontario PC MPP’s. Alt-no issued its own statement expressing that support.
“Governments don’t second-guess projects that are solid and transparent — they second-guess projects when the costs are unclear, the impacts are massive, and the public hasn’t been heard,” the statement reads.
The message continues by expressing skepticism about the projected $60 to $90 billion cost of the Alto project.
“Canadians are being asked to accept both Alto’s hefty price tag and enormous consequences without basic answers,” the statement reads.
Alt-no believes it is a double standard that while the proposed expansion of the Billy Bishop Airport has been stopped, similar concerns about Alto are being ignored.
“We think Toronto residents were right to question the community and environmental impacts, and we expect the same consideration for the Alto project. This is a mega project the scale of which we have never seen, doesn’t it deserve scrutiny?” said Alt-no Director Kathleen O’Connell-Renaud of East Hawkesbury.
Alt-no believes a project of Alto’s scale is dividing people, rather than uniting them.
“This is being called a nation-building project, but what we’re seeing is the opposite — rising grassroots backlash, municipalities pushing back, and now provinces starting to pull away. That’s not progress — that’s a red flag,” said Alt-no spokesperson Kristin Muller, also of East Hawkesbury.
Alt-no is calling on the Government of Ontario, as well as all parliamentarians, provincial and federal, to engage in a genuine and transparent process. They want that process to include openly sharing information about costs, impacts, and consultation findings, and allowing for real discussion about alternatives.
