A group representing numerous farmers in eastern Ontario is worried about a Crown corporation’s decision to use drones for surveying land related to a possible high-speed rail route.
Alto, the company assigned to construct a high-speed rail line connecting Toronto and Quebec City, mentioned that it’s operating drones over areas in eastern Ontario and western Quebec for environmental assessments.
This approach doesn’t sit well with Michel Dignard, vice-president of the Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens (UCFO), who stated that farmers in the area have been refusing Alto permission to survey their land.
“Did they really care about talking to farmers? Because they didn’t take too long before getting the drone down on the site,” he said.
In April, some property owners in eastern Ontario received requests from Alto seeking access for environmental surveys on their land.
Dignard, whose organization has over 500 members locally, claimed he’s yet to meet a farmer who has permitted Alto onto their property, and expressed concern among his members.
“They should have learned that farmers are owners; they’re not ready to let them on their field and on their property,” he said.
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No surveys without an agreement, Alto says
According to Alto’s website, drone surveys will occur between May 25 and the end of 2026. The goal is to gather information on waterways, natural habitats, and other features as part of an environmental impact assessment. Alto also clarified that having drones in an area does not necessarily mean it will be included in the final route. In an email sent to CBC on Wednesday, Alto spokesperson Caroline Des Rosiers explained that drone surveys collect different types of information compared to ground surveys and reduce disruptions for communities and ecosystems. Des Rosiers did not specify how many landowners have denied Alto access but confirmed that no surveys would happen without consent from property owners. United Counties of Prescott and Russell Warden Mario Zanth at a council meeting on Feb. 25. (Nelly Alberola/Radio-Canada)Access to county property blocked
The decision by Alto to conduct drone surveys comes as local officials in eastern Ontario are choosing a firmer stance against the project. The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) passed a resolution Wednesday preventing Alto’s access to county property and prohibiting confidential discussions with the Crown corporation regarding the proposed route. UCPR Warden Mario Zanth mentioned he only found out about the drone surveys earlier this week and criticized how Alto has communicated with residents concerning the project. “You’re the federal government; you’re supposed to be all about transparency. So why don’t we start off right by being open throughout this whole process?” Zanth said. “I know this is a nation-building project, but nation building shouldn’t come at the cost of dividing communities.”Source link
