FRIENDS OF THE CATARAQUI TRAIL OPPOSE SOUTHERN ALTO ROUTE

The following Motion was passed unanimously at the Board meeting of the Friends of the Cataraqui Trail held on March 26, 2026.

WHEREAS, the 104-kilometre Cataraqui Trail is a is a natural heritage feature of national importance being an integral component of the Trans Canada Trail, providing year-round, multi-use recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, snowmobiling, and skiing, connecting Smith Falls to Strathcona, Ontario, protects critical wildlife habitats, and supports local tourism by connecting communities, heritage sites, and scenic landscapes.

WHEREAS, the proposed ALTO southern route coincides with the entire length of the Cataraqui Trail, but does not appear to follow it and, if selected, has the potential to cross the trail in multiple places, disrupt the end-to-end connectivity of the trail; cause rerouting of the trail, disturb the hydrologic and ecological features along the trail and create noise and visual disturbance for users of the trail.

WHEREAS, the project will require a wide, fenced-off, high-speed rail line that will create a “solid wall” across the countryside, creating barriers for local traffic, wildlife, emergency response, and farmers, will sever community connections, impede access to the trail, and create the need for overpass and underpasses, and cause significant environmental disruption in rural Eastern Ontario.

WHEREAS, the high-speed line focuses on connecting distant urban centers, providing little to no benefit for the residents of Eastern Ontario whose properties values will be negatively impacted, with the degradation of their local environment and regional assets, especially the Cataraqui Trail.

WHEREAS, there are alternative options to achieve higher speed rail service to serve the major urban areas of Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto with less environmental impact.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

That Friends of the Cataraqui Trail formally opposes the southern route proposed by ALTO, and

That the Friends of the Cataraqui Trail recommends that the Government of Canada direct ALTO to consider an alternative, higher speed route.

Friends of the Cataraqui Trail Board,
c/o the Cataraqui Conservation,
2069 Battersea Road Glenburnie ON, K0H 1S0.
friends@cataraquitrail.ca