Farmers in Eastern Ontario Concerned About Alto’s Plans

Farmers and landowners in eastern Ontario have begun receiving requests for land access from Alto, the Crown corporation behind Canada’s proposed high-speed rail line, leaving some feeling uneasy.

Marcus Haefele, who cultivates over 1,000 hectares near Vankleek Hill, mentioned he got three letters from Alto on the same day. They want to perform field studies on various parts of his family’s land, including a field where he just built a $7 million chicken barn.

He noted they’re seeking access over the next three years, “from 8 a. m. to midnight.”

The letters state that Alto would give 48 hours’ notice before arriving, but Haefele said the specifics are still unclear.

“They’re not really indicating exactly what kind of studies they want to do,” he said.

Haefele says he’s received three letters from Alto asking permission to access parts of his family’s land. (Cameron Mahler/CBC)

The letters detail a range of possible activities, including soil and vegetation sampling, drone filming, and setting up temporary monitoring equipment, according to Haefele.

Timing also worries Haefele – planting season is just around the corner. “That can potentially be very dangerous to have someone running around in there,” he expressed.

Haefele fears that these land surveys might hint at something more significant, like potential expropriation of his property.

“Receiving a notice makes me very wary,” he stated, adding that it “gives me the feeling that it will be installed in my backyard.”

‘Impacts are significant’

Jean Saint-Pierre is president of Boisés Est, an association for woodlot owners in eastern Ontario. His members have started getting letters from Alto as well and “some people are very distressed,” he shared.

Saint-Pierre indicated that his members have both environmental and economic concerns-primarily regarding the effects of clearing large sections of forest and farmland.

“The [potential] impacts are significant,” he remarked. “And we have not really seen any feedback from Alto as to how they’re going to compensate this.”

Saint-Pierre mentioned that members feel there’s little for them to gain, especially for rural members who probably won’t use the service.

They also fear that these survey requests might be an initial step toward acquiring their lands.

“There is a significant distress among people who are being told ‘We may need your land,’” he explained.

Martin Imbleau is the president and CEO of Alto. He states that while they’d prefer to buy land outright, they could consider expropriation if owners aren’t willing to sell their properties. (CBC)

However, during an interview with CBC’s Ottawa Morning last month, Alto’s CEO Martin Imbleau clarified that expropriation would be a last resort and “the intent is to have willing-seller, willing-buyer agreements.”

“We will need to buy significant pieces of land. We’re talking about thousands of properties,” he added.

“But if landowners are reluctant to sell,” he continued,“there [is], of course, some recourse with the expropriation process.”

LISTEN | Imbleau’s full interview:

Ottawa Morning19:41Alto nearing end of public consultation on high-speed rail route

Martin Imbleau discussed what feedback he’s received from Canadians so far.

In a statement given Wednesday to CBC , Alto mentioned that these surveys form part of early planning work necessary for assessing environmental , economic , and health impacts related to potential rail line routes.

The Crown corporation specified that field studies will only proceed with voluntary consent , ensuring no surveys take place without permission.

Alto also clarified that receiving a request for land entry doesn’t automatically mean property acquisition will be needed for the project.

This said , Haefele noted he currently doesn’t intend on granting access.

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