In 2025, Canada’s federal government announced the long-discussed high-speed passenger rail network connecting the Toronto–Quebec City corridor, spanning approximately 1,000 km. Scheduled to begin construction in 2029, this will be Canada’s first high-speed rail network and one of the country’s largest infrastructure investments in decades.
For the agriculture sector, projects of this scale come with significant costs and potential losses. While the rail network promises benefits such as modernized infrastructure and enhanced connectivity, it also poses serious implications for farmland, including possible expropriation, increased aggregate demand, and energy use that could impact agricultural systems and rural landscapes.
A project like this permanently alters the landscape along its route. Community input is critical to ensure the project prioritizes the needs of local residents, farmers, and rural communities. When farmland is lost or fragmented, it affects how farmers operate their businesses. Fragmentation can limit access to the contiguous parcels needed for efficient planting and harvesting, and it can also threaten the long-term economic viability of farms by making planning and investment more difficult. The consequences can extend beyond individual farms, disrupting local ecosystems, influencing regional food production, and affecting the wider agricultural economy.
Starting January 2026, Alto will conduct a three-month public consultation process to gather diverse perspectives as route planning and design advance. This will include open houses, virtual sessions, and an online engagement platform.
Click here to see more...