Sarah Williams
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
At their Oct. 13 meeting, the Township of Stone Mills Council discussed a briefing following a meeting between township staff and Alto executives. The meeting was to discuss the controversial, federally backed, high-speed rail project.
For those unfamiliar with Alto, it is a Crown corporation that is working in partnership with Cadence, a French-Canadian consortium.
Alto has been tasked with creating a high-speed rail project that is intended to span the distance from Toronto to Quebec City.
As per Alto, the project’s objectives include reducing travel time by approximately half, reducing vehicular and air traffic, supporting reconciliation, advancing economic development, and contributing to climate targets.
Nonetheless, opposition to this project has been fierce, with critics arguing it will devastate ecosystems and upend rural communities.
Without a definitive route planned, many local homeowners fear the repercussions should the southern route be chosen for this rail project.
The proposed rail line would be approximately 1,000 km of fully electrified rail, operating at speeds in excess of 300km/h.
According to the staff report, Alto advised township staff that the southern route is garnering more attention, as it may stop in Kingston.
“The Ottawa–Montreal segment is expected to be narrowed by the end of fall 2026. The Peterborough–Ottawa alignment, which affects Stone Mills, is not expected to be narrowed until 2027. As a result, the Township’s specific exposure to the alignment is not expected to be clarified in the near term,” wrote staff.
The meeting also provided the township with the opportunity to discuss sensitive regional areas that Alto may not have considered.
Ultimately, any decision made regarding the route is up to the Minister of Transport. As per the staff report, Alto made sure to remind the township that they have limited formal authority to block the project through the Planning Act, 1990, or Municipal Act, 2001 mechanisms. Furthermore, they noted that “council resolutions on the project are recorded and forwarded to the Minister but are not determinative.”
Wenda Lalonde was first to speak, noting the report made her nervous and that it “sounds like they’re coming through our township.”
Lalonde questioned CAO Jason White about his gut feeling after having met with Alto representatives.
“I can’t speculate on what the plans are. I’m trying to be as objective as possible,” said White. “Recommendations will be going to the federal government, which makes the final decision. Alto is simply given the marching orders.”
The CAO went on to concede he feels the high-speed rail plan is “more ambiguous than it was in the beginning.”
In her response to the report, councillor Krysta-Lee Woodcock referenced the new Bill C-39, also known as the Building Canada Strong Act.
“The new Bill C-39 allows for ignoring all sorts of laws,” she said. “We have a government that’s possibly willing to extinct 73 Orcas on the West Coast for a project of national interest.”
Bill C-39 was introduced in late September and has made waves for its ability to expedite major infrastructure projects.
“Issues are often framed as being inevitable so you don’t believe you can oppose them,” said Woodcock. “I would say that inevitability is up for debate.”
Incoming mayor Shari Milligan concluded the conversation by emphasizing the importance of the next council not “letting off the gas on this thing.”
“We need to keep working on it,” added Milligan.
Council received the report for information.