The Liberal government is considering an important adjustment for the Alto high-speed rail project that would shift the line’s path south toward the Lake Ontario shoreline.
The proposed route from Quebec City to Toronto – which Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to begin constructing in four years – was announced late last year with planned stops in Trois-Rivières, Laval, Montreal, Ottawa and Peterborough.
Transport Minister Steven Mac Kinnon told reporters in Kingston on Monday that the choice to explore a different route came from input received during Alto’s 100-day public consultation process.
He mentioned his office is “going to take a very, very, long, strong and positive look” at the chance of including Kingston in Canada’s first high-speed rail line.
“This is a project for, literally, the common good. This is a project for people,” he said. “Designed for people, to help people, to help communities to allow people to more freely live, work, play across the corridor and also attract visitors.”
Mac Kinnon noted that discussions with Indigenous communities held from October 2025 through June 2026 along the Toronto-Quebec City corridor also influenced this decision.
While some residents near the proposed route have voiced opposition, the mayors of Kingston and South Frontenac have expressed support instead.
Alto has suggested two routes. One is a direct path between Peterborough and Ottawa. The second option takes a southern track that comes within half an hour’s drive of downtown Kingston.
The two mayors met in March to show support for a third option where the Alto rail line would run further south – following along Highway 401 – with a stop in Kingston.
“There’s a lot of opposition to both the northern and southern corridors, so we’re urging Alto, rather than just pushing through that opposition … [to] listen to the feedback [and] listen to the voices that they’re hearing,” Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson said.
“In this case … you’re getting a very strong yes with a couple of key conditions that are technically feasible and make a lot of sense from a business and economics perspective.”
Protesters demonstrated their dissent against the federal initiative to build this high-speed rail link between Quebec City and Toronto by blocking access points at Isabel Bader Centre during one ministerial announcement until police intervened.(Dan Taekema/CBC) Mac Kinnon acknowledged his background as someone raised on farmland helps him understand how attached individuals are to their land throughout this process.
As plans regarding specific routes develop further,
he prefers seeing federal rights-of-way utilized wherever possible but recognized expropriations might still occur under certain circumstances. “I have directed Alto to proceed with extreme sensitivity, to respectfully deal with landowners who will end up along this route, this 60-metre-wide corridor , that has generally speaking traveled straight ahead.” he said.WATCH | ‘There will be expropriations,’ says transport minister:<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1782162483_635_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/ ‘There will be expropriations’ in high-speed rail project buildout, says transport minister Even though Transport Minister Steven Mac Kinnon claimed ‘our obvious preference’ lies within acquiring properties solely through willing sellers, the reality remains those who own adjacent lots can expect some formal confiscation procedures implemented The minister assures minimizing disruptions caused upon private property while respecting environmental considerations remains paramount throughout development phases. “P We won’t cut corners when considering respect; we won’t compromise sensitivity either.” he emphasized
Regional Via Rail travel as a ‘feeder’ for Alto
Councillors for both Kingston and South Frontenac had already voted separately in favor of telling Alto and federal officials they oppose any route unless it goes all the way to Kingston with stops there. Mac Kinnon stated Kingston is Canada’s fourth-busiest Via Rail station, suggesting services going into and out of the city could serve as “a feeder” for this high-speed rail network. He added that students at Queen’s University would heavily utilize an Alto stop in Kingston. “Yes it is a longer route, but it does not add enough time such that it would dissuade people from … taking a short airplane ride or getting in their car or using some other mode,” he explained. Earlier comments from him indicated that having an Alto stop in Kingston would be “subject to technical feasibility and project requirements.” Ontario Premier Doug Ford has previously supported having Alto take its southern route along Highway 401 with an additional stop in Kingston. This 1,000-kilometre railway line will use all-electric trains capable of reaching speeds up to 300 km/h and is projected to cost between $60 billion and $90 billion. <p since its announcement has faced pushback from landowners whose properties might be taken for construction purposes. The Budget 2025 Implementation Act included amendments related to land acquisition laws which make it easier for federal authorities to obtain land needed for this new railway.Protesters demonstrated their dissent against the federal initiative to build this high-speed rail link between Quebec City and Toronto by blocking access points at Isabel Bader Centre during one ministerial announcement until police intervened.(Dan Taekema/CBC) Mac Kinnon acknowledged his background as someone raised on farmland helps him understand how attached individuals are to their land throughout this process.
As plans regarding specific routes develop further,
he prefers seeing federal rights-of-way utilized wherever possible but recognized expropriations might still occur under certain circumstances. “I have directed Alto to proceed with extreme sensitivity, to respectfully deal with landowners who will end up along this route, this 60-metre-wide corridor , that has generally speaking traveled straight ahead.” he said.WATCH | ‘There will be expropriations,’ says transport minister:<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1782162483_635_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/ ‘There will be expropriations’ in high-speed rail project buildout, says transport minister Even though Transport Minister Steven Mac Kinnon claimed ‘our obvious preference’ lies within acquiring properties solely through willing sellers, the reality remains those who own adjacent lots can expect some formal confiscation procedures implemented The minister assures minimizing disruptions caused upon private property while respecting environmental considerations remains paramount throughout development phases. “P We won’t cut corners when considering respect; we won’t compromise sensitivity either.” he emphasized
Expropriation attorney Shane Rayman commented earlier stating current regulations surrounding provincial & federal procedures on seizing grounds intended towards large-scale developments indicate intent geared towards ensuring affected owners find financial equity compensations resulting due lost assets due situations similar thereto
WATCH | Poilievre says Alto will cost taxpayers:<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1782162483_430_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/ Poilievre pans high-speed rail project as Liberals explore possible Kingston stopConservative Leader Pierre Poilievre remarked let’s prioritize lowering everyday living costs whilst contemplating adjustments made toward routing options regarding utilizing service expansions like Alta running near Kinston.” How about reducing GST taxes applied onto used automobiles sold via dealerships? That’d yield tangible savings benefiting real citizens!” Poilievre asserted. Speaking recently at Vancouver engagements Conservative Leader Pierre dismissed claims suggesting Canadians prefer traveling via Altan compared traditional vehicles instead arguing better allocating funds earmarked towards fast-tracked transportation projects shifting course should focus primarily onto tax reductions alleviating burdensome financial strains faced daily due societal needs expected outcomes being achievable over time frames extending well beyond anticipated completion dates outlined presently permitting potential projected costs affecting families significantly over periods extending far into future conversations surrounding taxation implications bringing negative attention consistently generate hype amongst audiences sharing concerns about sustainable practices adopted widely today impacting generations henceforth. PTHE CONSERVATIVE leader urged full cancellations altogether concerning ongoing endeavors promoting enhancements connected broadly relating back towards overall infrastructure focusing entirely elsewhere meeting rising demands placed steadily upon sectors needing comprehensive improvements aimed clearly seeking lasting benefits produced aimed directly encouraging proactive measures undertaken earnestly pursued throughout numerous levels governing our society’s economic landscapes moving forward together harmoniously without disruption achieving results positively effecting multitudes globally implementing shifts necessary guiding legislation embraced collectively striving onward through adversity!
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