QUESTION PERIOD — Transport
High-Speed Rail
June 11, 2026
Honourable senators, the Alto high-speed rail project proposes the construction of a high-speed rail project that will span 1,000 kilometres along the Toronto-Quebec City corridor. Regardless of the route selected, this high-speed rail service will cut through some of the most productive farmland in Ontario and Quebec, destroying working businesses that are supporting local economies, producing food, fuel, fibre and flowers and safeguarding our country’s food security. My office continues to hear from organizations and individuals across Ontario and Quebec who are seriously concerned that Alto will come at the expense of our agricultural sector and disrupt the very communities it is trying to benefit. To quote Drew Spoelstra, President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture:
Farmers understand that Canada needs infrastructure investments — but projects deemed to be in the national interest should not come at the expense of food production, rural communities and prime farm land.
Senator Moreau, when will the Government of Canada stop treating agricultural farmland as expendable and start recognizing it as vital to food security?
The last part of your question is not the standing of the government. The government recognizes that agricultural lands are a vital resource that supports food production, rural economies and communities across the country. I had the opportunity to answer many questions concerning agriculture and the fact that the government stands strong behind farmers in Canada.
Now, you already know that the routes and alignment are not decided. Under the Impact Assessment Act, federal projects are subject to a thorough review process that takes into consideration environmental, social and economic impacts, as well as measures to reduce, avoid or address concerns. Issues such as farmland fragmentation, impacts on farming operations, economic vitality and compensation can all be examined through that process when identified as areas of concern.
Senator Moreau, according to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, many farmers in affected areas have felt left out of the conversations around Alto. They are frustrated with the lack of meaningful conversation with the sector and the rural communities that will be affected most. Yet, Alto continues to progress even closer to routing decisions.
When will the Government of Canada step in to facilitate thorough economic, environmental and agricultural impact assessments, along with meaningful consultations with the affected communities?
The Minister of Transport is well aware of what you mentioned in your preamble, senator. Meaningful engagement with affected communities is part of responsible project development. The federal assessment process is designed to examine a broad range of potential impacts, including economic, environmental and agricultural considerations, and provides opportunities for concerns raised by farmers, landowners and rural communities to be considered.
