The Alto High-Speed Train Would be ‘Catastrophic’ for Quebec Farmers, Federation Says

The proposed high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City has been touted as a game-changer for commuters. However, for farmers like Daniel Legault, the benefits of speed are nothing compared to the devastating consequences of having their land sliced through by a train line.

Legault’s family has farmed the same land in Rigaud, Quebec, since 1929. The Alto project would not only divide their property but also isolate entire communities along its path. At least 1,700 properties, including at least 500 farms between Ottawa and Montreal, stand to lose access to their land.

The train line would physically sever farmland in two, making it impractical for farmers to maintain even basic operations. Legault has calculated that the detours required to reach his fields would be logistically impossible, threatening the livelihoods of not just his family but countless others along the route.

Fédération de l’UPA de la Montérégie president Jérémie Letellier paints a dire picture: “It’s catastrophic the impact on a single farm… A lot of farms will be thinking about reorienting or even terminating their activities because of a project like that.” Farmers are being asked to sacrifice their land, livelihoods, and legacy without adequate compensation or consultation.

The Alto project’s promises of transparency and consultation ring hollow. Despite months of planning, the company has yet to engage with affected communities in meaningful ways. Public consultations were recently held, but none were held in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges territory where Legault’s farm is located. A second round is planned for this fall, but the timing and location are still unclear.

Caroline Des Rosiers claims that Alto “wants to do things right,” but the company’s commitment to limiting impacts on agricultural communities seems more like a public relations exercise than a genuine effort to address concerns.

The stakes are high for Quebec’s agricultural communities. The proposed train line raises broader questions about the balance between economic development and community needs. Who bears the burden of progress, and what safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable populations? As this contentious issue unfolds, it’s essential to remember that farmers’ lives aren’t just being disrupted – they’re being put at risk.

The Alto high-speed train project is not just an infrastructure project; it’s a test of whether we value the people who grow our food over the convenience of speed.