A collective of Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) issued a statement highlighting their worries about the federal government’s proposed high-speed rail project.
The 11 MPPs, all part of the Progressive Conservative (PC) members within the Ford government, emphasized that local perspectives must be taken into account by Alto, the Crown corporation managing this $60- to $90-billion rail initiative.
“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,” said the Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2926, joint statement.
The MPPs mentioned that the high-speed rail project should align with the needs of rural communities, families, farmers, and local businesses.
This statement was endorsed by MPPs Tyler Allsopp (Bay of Quinte), Ric Bresee (Hastings-Lennox & 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), Nolan Quinn (Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry), Stephane Sarrazin (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell), Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock), and Dave Smith (Peterborough-Kawartha). These MPPs represent the eastern Ontario PC caucus.
The two-paragraph statement further explained that “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 projects minimizes impacts on farmland and is supported by the people affected.”
“We will continue to stand with our municipalities, farmers, landowners and residents,” pledged the MPPs.
Among these 11 signatories are three cabinet ministers: Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security; David Piccini, Labour Minister; and Steve Clark, Government House Leader.
The planned 1,000-kilometre fully electrified HSR line aims to connect Quebec City and Toronto with seven main stops along with a possible station in Kingston currently being evaluated.
There’s been increasing community pushback against this section of HSR line as it would necessitate land expropriation by the federal government. Many locals fear this could disrupt communities, farms , and roads while also affecting environmentally sensitive regions.
Many concerns raised by these politicians resonate with residents and municipal leaders throughout the area.
Recently , the City of Belleville City Council passed a motion urging Alto for significant consultation as well as a more transparent process that doesn’t involve signing non-disclosure agreements with affected municipalities.
Alto’s final route choice for eastern Ontario remains undecided at this time; however , three corridors are under consideration between Ottawa and Peterborough.
One suggested northern route would run roughly parallel along Highway 7; another southern option would go further south through various rural townships just north of Kingston and Belleville; while a third alternative-supported by Kingston-could see HSR operate closer to Highway 401.
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