South Dundas joins opposition to Alto

Council supports Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus resolution against current plans for Alto high-speed passenger rail corridor.

Article content MORRISBURG — South Dundas is the latest to join a chorus of eastern Ontario municipalities to formally oppose the Alto high-speed rail project in its current form. Recommended Videos The resolution challenged that there was only one stop in the 50,000-square-kilometre region represented by the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, and that there was significant impact on rural communities, agricultural land, trails, and environmentally sensitive areas. Both proposed routes for Alto between Toronto and Ottawa passed through the environmentally sensitive Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, which is a UNESCO designated biosphere reserve.

Property owners have been worried about expropriation of land which could sever farms in half. South Dundas’ resolution added recognition that the municipality has had negative experiences associated with the long-term impact of “nation building projects” which Alto has been called by Prime Minister Mark Carney. Areas of South Dundas were demolished or relocated and reconstructed as part of the St. Lawrence Seaway Project from 1954-59.

The resolution supports the EOWC in opposing Alto in its current form, citing insufficient consultation, the impact on rural areas and the environment, and the “misalignment with regional planning priorities.” It is also urged that the federal government co-ordinate with Via Rail to maintain and improve passenger rail service. The resolution, which passed with minimal council discussion, encouraged for alternative corridors for the project including the CN/Via Rail corridor or Highway 401 corridor to be explored.

It passed council unanimously. North Glengarry, which may see part of the Ottawa-Montréal Alto line pass through it, passed a similar resolution in June. SDG and North Glengarry each also barred Alto engineers and surveyors from accessing municipally-owned lands.

— The Morrisburg Leader