Eastern Ontario PC caucus voices Alto high speed project concerns

High-Speed Rail. Photo by John Cameron. Unsplash Free Use.

By: Phillip Blancher, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Morrisburg Leader

 After months of seemingly being supportive of the federal government’s ALTO High Speed Rail project, provincial Progressive Conservative MPPs are now speaking about concerns with the  project.   

A statement was sent out on behalf of 11 PC MPPs about there being too many unanswered questions about the project. 

The group said that investments are needed to strengthen the province’s economy and create jobs reflecting rural community priorities. 

“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,” the statement said. “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 release went on to say that the federal government must ensure any rail project minimizes the impact to farmland is supported by people affected by the project. 

“We will continue to stand with our municipalities, farmers, landowners, and residents.”

The statement was sent out on behalf of MPPs Nolan Quinn (Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry),  Steve Clark (Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes), John Jordan (Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston), Tyler Allsopp (Bay of Quinte), George Darouze (Carleton), Billy Denault (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke), David Piccini (Northumberland-Peterborough South), Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock), Stephane Sarrazin (Glengarry-Prescott–Russell), Ric Bresee(Hastings–- and Addington), and Dave Smith (Peterborough-Kawartha). This is the first time in nearly a year and a half since the Alto project was announced in February 2025 that area government MPPs have voiced concerns. 

Land owners, advocacy groups, and municipal councils have been speaking out since the route of the project was announced – all opposing Alto.

This summer, SDG Counties barred Alto officials from entering SDG-owned forests and lands on the Ottawa-Montréal route across the top of the counties. Lower-tier municipalities within SDG also have supported blocking access when appropriate with South Dundas mayor Jason Broad cautioning at a recent council meeting not to trust federal government promises of benefits of a project – citing unfulfilled promises from the St. Lawrence-Seaway project in the 1950s.

The timing of the statement from the 11 PC MPPs was less than a week after the federal government blocked the $5 billion proposal by the Ontario government to expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport – citing widespread community backlash. Transport Canada said that nearly 87 per cent of the 87,000 public consultation respondents opposed the Billy Bishop Airport expansion. 

Responding to the Eastern Ontario PC Caucus Statement on Alto consultation, The Leader asked MPP and Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn’s office about the timing of the statement and if the federal government reversed its decision on the airport expansion – would the Eastern Ontario Caucus opposition to Alto disappear? Quinn’s office was also asked why MPPs are only voicing constituents’ concerns now, nearly a year and a half after the project announcement?

Lastly, Quinn’s office was asked if the province has entered into any Non-Disclosure Agreements with Alto regarding surveying and planning on provincially-owned land on the Alto routes in Ontario? The City of Ottawa council was criticized in the spring for signing an NDA with Alto before details of the route in that city could be discussed. 

Officials with Quinn’s office did not respond to The Leader’s questions by the publication deadline.