The federal government is asking Alto to think about adding a stop in Kingston, which is something local officials have been advocating for. Katie Griffin reports.
Canada’s high-speed rail initiative might include a stop in Kingston, Ont., as indicated by the federal transport minister.
Steven Mac Kinnon visited Kingston on Monday to provide an update on the debated Alto project, aimed at creating a high-speed rail corridor between Toronto and Quebec City, with planned stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval, and Trois-Rivières.
Alto Mac Kinnon Politicians and others gather in Kingston, Ont. for an update on the Alto high-speed rail project. June 22, 2026. (Katie Griffin/ Ottawa)
“I have asked Alto to take another look at an alignment option that could include Kingston as a potential stop as we keep moving forward with this transformative project for communities along the Toronto-Québec City corridor,” Mac Kinnon mentioned in a statement posted on Alto’s website Monday morning.
Alto stated on its website that a proposed stop in Kingston would depend on technical feasibility and project requirements.
“This represents an essential next step toward establishing a quicker, cleaner, and more connected rail network for Canadians,” Mac Kinnon noted.
The mayors of Kingston and South Frontenac urged the government to consider including a stop in Kingston while suggesting that the line should run alongside Highway 401 in eastern Ontario.
Kingston is about 180 kilometers from Peterborough-the first scheduled stop heading east from Toronto-and roughly 200 km from Ottawa via Highways 401 and 416.
Alto high-speed rail An image of areas being studied as a potential high-speed rail corridor. The split between Peterborough, Ont. and Ottawa are known as the northern corridor and the southern corridor. (Alto)
Alto’s 134-page “What We Heard” report released Monday alongside Mac Kinnon’s announcement found that many residents of Kingston showed interest in having a high-speed rail stop within the city.
“While there isn’t currently a station proposed in Kingston, support from municipal leaders, stakeholders, residents, and community members has emerged for the project if it includes a station there. The existing VIA Rail station was suggested as a potential location for this HSR station,” according to the report.
“Participants pointed out that the southern corridor-particularly through Kingston and Belleville with an added station in Kingston-could serve more people than using the northern route.”
Supporters of having a stop in Kingston also mentioned that air travel options are limited for the city and noted that its VIA Rail station ranks as Canada’s fourth-busiest station.
Alto acknowledged that many residents along the possible southern corridor between Peterborough and Ottawa still oppose this project; however running it closer to Kingston could help alleviate some of those concerns.
“While there were criticisms regarding this project, many participants along the South corridor expressed conditional support for Alto if it included a station near Kingston where there is already an existing VIA Rail station,” states Alto’s report.
“They believe there’s enough demand within this city to sustain ridership. If they adjust the alignment toward Kingston, it would also bypass several communities currently situated within the South corridor.”
Alto Kingston A group of residents protest againstthe Alto high-speed rail project at afederal announcementin Kingston, Ont. June22 ,2026.(Katie Griffin/ Ottawa)
Opponentsalongthesoutherncorridorwereworriedaboutpossiblecommunitydisruptionandtheperceivedgapbetweenruralandurbaninterests. Altoadded.
Dozensofprotestersagainsttheplangatheredoutsidetheannouncement.
“I might lose my farm becauseofthis,”said Elgin, Ont. resident Sharon Patton.
“They’retakingourhomes, basic generationsonwhatwe’regoingtopayforit. Andwedon’twanttoseeit,”said Lindsey Kimmett.
Constructionfortheinitialphaseoftheprojectisnotexpectedtobeginuntil2029, anditwillconnect Ottawaand Montrealfirst.
Altosaysthisprojectwouldcreate50 ,000jobsduringconstructionandcontributeapproximately$24.5billionannuallyto Canada’s GDP. Thetrainwould“cuttraveltimesbetweencitiesinhaf”comparedtocurrenttrips, speedingat300km/hormore, andprovidemorefrequentdeparturesbetweenmajorcitieslike Toronto , Ottawa , Montrealand Quebec City.
Theprojectisestimatedtocostbetween$60billionand$90billion, havingfacedstrongoppositionfromfarmers, lndowners, andruralpoliticiansalongthetwoproposedcorridorsin Ontario. The Parti Québécoishaspromisedtodiscontinue Quebecfromthisprojectiftheyformgovernmentthisfall.
Altoconfirmedthataddingastopin Kingstonwouldincreaseprojectcosts.
“Yes thereisadditionalcostwithitbutthereisincreasedridershiptocompensatefortheextracost. I’mnotgoingintomoredetailbutthewarmfeelingiseconomicallymaking sensetohavethestationin Kingston,”stated Martin Imbleau, the Presidentand CEOOf Alto.
Publicconsultationtrendstowardapproval
Alto high-speed rail An image of areas being studied as a potential high-speed rail corridor. The split between Peterborough, Ont. and Ottawa are known as the northern corridor and the southern corridor. (Alto)
Alto’s 134-page “What We Heard” report released Monday alongside Mac Kinnon’s announcement found that many residents of Kingston showed interest in having a high-speed rail stop within the city.
“While there isn’t currently a station proposed in Kingston, support from municipal leaders, stakeholders, residents, and community members has emerged for the project if it includes a station there. The existing VIA Rail station was suggested as a potential location for this HSR station,” according to the report.
“Participants pointed out that the southern corridor-particularly through Kingston and Belleville with an added station in Kingston-could serve more people than using the northern route.”
Supporters of having a stop in Kingston also mentioned that air travel options are limited for the city and noted that its VIA Rail station ranks as Canada’s fourth-busiest station.
Alto acknowledged that many residents along the possible southern corridor between Peterborough and Ottawa still oppose this project; however running it closer to Kingston could help alleviate some of those concerns.
“While there were criticisms regarding this project, many participants along the South corridor expressed conditional support for Alto if it included a station near Kingston where there is already an existing VIA Rail station,” states Alto’s report.
“They believe there’s enough demand within this city to sustain ridership. If they adjust the alignment toward Kingston, it would also bypass several communities currently situated within the South corridor.”
Alto Kingston A group of residents protest againstthe Alto high-speed rail project at afederal announcementin Kingston, Ont. June22 ,2026.(Katie Griffin/ Ottawa)
Opponentsalongthesoutherncorridorwereworriedaboutpossiblecommunitydisruptionandtheperceivedgapbetweenruralandurbaninterests. Altoadded.
Dozensofprotestersagainsttheplangatheredoutsidetheannouncement.
“I might lose my farm becauseofthis,”said Elgin, Ont. resident Sharon Patton.
“They’retakingourhomes, basic generationsonwhatwe’regoingtopayforit. Andwedon’twanttoseeit,”said Lindsey Kimmett.
Constructionfortheinitialphaseoftheprojectisnotexpectedtobeginuntil2029, anditwillconnect Ottawaand Montrealfirst.
Altosaysthisprojectwouldcreate50 ,000jobsduringconstructionandcontributeapproximately$24.5billionannuallyto Canada’s GDP. Thetrainwould“cuttraveltimesbetweencitiesinhaf”comparedtocurrenttrips, speedingat300km/hormore, andprovidemorefrequentdeparturesbetweenmajorcitieslike Toronto , Ottawa , Montrealand Quebec City.
Theprojectisestimatedtocostbetween$60billionand$90billion, havingfacedstrongoppositionfromfarmers, lndowners, andruralpoliticiansalongthetwoproposedcorridorsin Ontario. The Parti Québécoishaspromisedtodiscontinue Quebecfromthisprojectiftheyformgovernmentthisfall.
Altoconfirmedthataddingastopin Kingstonwouldincreaseprojectcosts.
“Yes thereisadditionalcostwithitbutthereisincreasedridershiptocompensatefortheextracost. I’mnotgoingintomoredetailbutthewarmfeelingiseconomicallymaking sensetohavethestationin Kingston,”stated Martin Imbleau, the Presidentand CEOOf Alto.
Publicconsultationtrendstowardapproval
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