• Alto launched a three-month consultation process that was later extended to April 24, 2026.
• Early in January 2026, Alto issued an updated map on their website identifying northern and southern corridors. The proposed southern corridor would travel through Tyendinaga Township.

At the Regular Meeting of February 18, 2026, the following resolution was passed by the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga:

Moved by: Councillor Jen Phillips

Seconded by: Councillor Dave Ogden

Whereas Alto, has proposed a southern route option for the high-speed rail project that would pass through Tyendinaga Township; and

Whereas, that Tyendinaga Township has received limited detailed information regarding the proposed southern route, including its precise alignment, property impacts, environmental effects, safety considerations, and long-term implications for the community; and

Whereas preliminary information indicates the proposed southern route may have significant impacts on residents, agricultural lands, community facilities, conservation areas, municipal infrastructure, and emergency and local services; and

Whereas the proposed project is an electric rail line, introducing additional considerations related to safety, land use compatibility, and infrastructure requirements that have not yet been clearly addressed; and

Whereas the Township is aware of scheduled public consultation sessions in Madoc on March 5 and Stirling on March 25, but notes that no in-person consultation has been scheduled within Tyendinaga Township, despite the potential for direct and substantial local impacts; and

Whereas meaningful public engagement and municipal consultation are essential components of responsible infrastructure planning, particularly where rural communities and prime agricultural lands may be affected;

Therefore be it resolved that Council for the Township of Tyendinaga formally opposes the southern route option for the Alto high-speed rail project as it relates to lands within or affecting the Township; and

Further that Council directs staff to communicate this opposition to Alto, the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada, citing concerns related to land use impacts, community disruption, environmental considerations, public safety, and the lack of sufficient local consultation; and

Further that Council requests that Alto remove the southern route from further consideration and meaningfully engage with the Township on any alternative routing that avoids or minimizes impacts to the community; and

Further that Council requests that Alto hold an in-person public consultation within Tyendinaga Township should any future route options be proposed that may affect the municipality; and

Further that this resolution be circulated to Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transportation, Honorable Mark Carney, Prime Minister, MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Honorable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, MPP Ric Breese, Martin Imbleau, Alto President, and Member Municipalities within Hastings County and Lennox & Addington.

Carried


At the Regular Meeting of February 18, 2026, the following resolution was passed by the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga:

Moved by: Deputy Mayor Heather Lang

Seconded by: Councillor Don McFarlane

That the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga directs staff to prepare a report providing a high-level overview of Bill C-15, including its proposed changes and current status in the House.

• Council attended the Open House held by Alto in Madoc, Stirling-Rawdon, and South Frontenac. The open house provided access to Alto staff for questions along with multiple stations providing information on specific topics.

At the Regular Meeting of March 18, 2026, the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga was provided with a presentation from:

Alexis Doyle, Senior Advisor, Local Government and Community Partnerships - ALTO Re: High-speed rail network between Toronto and Quebec City

The following Alto representatives were in attendance for the Alto High Speed Rail (HSR) project delegation:

• Alexis Doyle, Senior Advisor, Local Government and Community Partnerships
• Nathan Wright, Director of Indigenous Engagement (Ontario)
• Jean François Rousseau, Director of Real Properties and Relations
• Lindsay Lashley, Senior Project Manager

Ms. Alexis Doyle presented the Alto High Speed Rail (HSR) project and reviewed the presentation included in the Agenda. Following the presentation, Alto representatives responded to questions received from Council.

At the Regular Meeting of March 18, 2026, the following resolution was passed by the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga:

Moved by: Deputy Mayor Heather Lang

Seconded by: Councillor Dave Ogden

That the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga supports Rideau Lakes Letter to Senators Re Rideau Lakes Concerns Re Alto High Speed Rail Project (Bill C-15 Budget).

At the Regular Meeting of March 18, 2026, the following resolution was passed by the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga:

Moved by: Deputy Mayor Heather Lang

Seconded by: Councillor Jen Phillips

Whereas the Government of Canada has advanced the proposed high-speed rail project known as ALTO, intended to connect the cities of Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City; and

Whereas major federal infrastructure projects have the potential to significantly affect municipalities through impacts on land use planning, agricultural viability, environmental stewardship, municipal infrastructure, taxation base, emergency services, and long-term community well-being; and

Whereas the Township of Tyendinaga recognizes that it is not a constitutional decision-maker in federal transportation routing, yet bears direct responsibility for managing the local impacts of such projects; and

Whereas residents have expressed concerns regarding potential expropriation, land fragmentation, environmental impacts, noise and vibration, and the cumulative effects of large transportation corridors on rural communities; and

Whereas the Township supports responsible infrastructure investment that is transparent, environmentally sound, fiscally accountable, and respectful of Indigenous rights and local communities; and

Whereas Bill C-15 commits the federal government to aligning federal laws with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including meaningful consultation and the pursuit of free, prior, and informed consent; and

Whereas any legislative or policy changes that reduce environmental oversight, weaken consultation requirements, or limit opportunities for municipal participation could undermine public confidence and result in avoidable long-term impacts on affected communities;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved That the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga formally opposes any federal legislative or regulatory changes associated with Bill C-15 or related federal processes that would weaken environmental safeguards, reduce meaningful consultation standards, or otherwise expedite infrastructure approvals without full transparency and engagement; and

Be It Further Resolved That Council calls upon the Government of Canada to ensure that any routing or planning decisions for the ALTO project are subject to comprehensive environmental review and include robust opportunities for municipal participation; and

Be It Further Resolved That Council requests formal consultation status for the Township in any federal review, planning, or routing decision affecting municipal land, infrastructure, or services; and

Be It Further Resolved That Council affirms that the protection of agricultural lands, environmentally sensitive areas, municipal corridors, and established rural communities remains a municipal priority; and

Be It Further Resolved That Council supports constructive dialogue with Indigenous Nations whose territories may be affected, and affirms the importance of reconciliation, partnership, and meaningful engagement; and

Be It Further Resolved That this resolution be circulated to the Prime Minister of Canada, the federal Minister of Transport, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, local Members of Parliament, the Premier of Ontario, relevant provincial ministers, opposition transportation critics, neighbouring municipalities within the potential corridor and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

Carried

• Tyendinaga Township CAO (Carla Preston) attended an Alto stakeholder meeting that included, for example, staff from area municipalities, Eastern Trail, OFA, and conservation authorities.

At the Regular Meeting of April 8, 2026, the following resolution was passed by the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga:

Moved by: Councillor Jen Phillips

Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Heather Lang

Whereas the Federal Government has identified ALTO high-speed rail as a nation-building project with an estimated cost of $60 to $90 billion, to deliver faster, more reliable passenger rail service; and

Whereas ALTO is advancing plans for a high-speed passenger rail project between the Quebec City-Toronto corridor, cutting through eastern Ontario; and

Whereas there is only currently one proposed stop across the Eastern Ontario region, benefitting urban residents at the cost of rural residents and lands; and

Whereas portions of the proposed project will traverse and impact eastern Ontario communities, infrastructure, residential and agricultural lands, municipal trails, and environmentally sensitive areas, and with no long-term economic benefits; and

Whereas the closure and/or dead-ending of roads will have significant ongoing and unknown costs to municipalities, as well as service delivery and emergency response implications to residents and businesses; and

Whereas eastern Ontario municipalities and residents have not received sufficient detailed information regarding potential local impacts, including land use, environmental effects, municipal infrastructure interfaces, and long-term financial or operational implications; and

Whereas municipal governments are responsible for protecting local interests, ensuring compatibility with existing planning frameworks, as well as safeguarding environmental, community, and resident mental health and well-being; and

Whereas the Township of Tyendinaga is actively trying to engage with ALTO through a truly meaningful consultation process to understand the impacts of both proposed high speed rail train routes to our residents, lands, trails, and businesses; and

Whereas the Township of Tyendinaga is located in the region’s beautiful lands that hold deep agricultural and cultural roots, and that are home to our rural and small-urban communities that will be impacted by ALTO.

Therefore Be It Resolved That the Township of Tyendinaga formally opposes the ALTO project in its current form; and

That this opposition is based on concerns related to insufficient municipal consultation, unclear rural and small-urban impacts, potential environmental effects, and alignments with existing eastern Ontario planning and infrastructure priorities; and

That the Township of Tyendinaga urge impacted municipalities, partners, businesses, and residents to share their questions and comments with ALTO and federal representatives as part of the engagement process; and

That the Township of Tyendinaga look to gather detailed information from ALTO to more fulsomely understand the project and its impacts across the region; and

That the Township of Tyendinaga advocates that the Federal Government and ALTO fully explore train route options along existing infrastructure corridors, such as VIA Rail; and

That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, The Honourable Steve MacKinnon, Minister of Transportation, Martin Imbleau, President and CEO of ALTO, Members of Parliament representing Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus district, Premier Doug Ford, Members of Provincial Parliament representing eastern Ontario, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus, all eastern Ontario municipalities within the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus district, and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

Carried

The Alto consultation period ended on April 24, 2026.

• Mayor Kennelly was one of twelve heads of Council included in a joint letter to the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, expressing a unified opposition to this project through their communities, along with the many concerns associated with the project, as well as supporting the concept of aligning with the 401 corridor.
• View the letter here.

• Mayor Kennelly and CAO were provided with an update entitled: Alto High Speed Rail – What We Heard Report Released
• News Release: Release of Alto’s What We Heard Report and announcement of Kingston as a potential stop along the High-Speed Rail network | Alto
• Public Consultation: What We Heard Report: public-consultation-report-june-2026.pdf
• Indigenous Consultation: What We Heard Report: indigenous-relations-consultation-report-june-2026.pdf

At the Special Meeting of August 12, 2026, the following resolution was passed by the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga:

Moved by: Councillor Don McFarlane

Seconded by: Councillor Dave Ogden

That the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga directs staff to inform Alto and the Public that the Township will reject signing the Confidentiality Information Sharing Agreement (NDA); and

That the resolution be posted on the Township Engagement site.

Carried

At the Regular Meeting of August 12, 2026, the following resolution was passed by the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga:

Moved by: Councillor Jen Phillips

Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Heather Lang

WHEREAS the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga has previously passed resolutions expressing concerns regarding the Alto High-Speed Rail Project and Bill C-15;

AND WHEREAS Council has stated that it does not support the project as presented due to its potential impacts on residents, farmland, the environment, municipal infrastructure and property rights;

AND WHEREAS the recently announced consideration of a route serving Kingston, including the possibility of an alignment along or near Highway 401, would not eliminate these concerns but could create significant adverse impacts in another area of Tyendinaga Township;

AND WHEREAS this area contains homes, productive farmland and Tyendinaga Public School, the only public school located within the Township, serving nearly 400 students;

AND WHEREAS Tyendinaga Township is a wholly rural municipality whose residents rely heavily on access to the urban centres of Belleville and Napanee for employment, shopping, health care and other essential services, with three Highway 401 interchanges and an additional overpass currently supporting that access;

AND WHEREAS Old Highway 2, the principal alternative route to Belleville and Napanee, is located south of Highway 401 and could also become inaccessible to affected residents if crossings through the potential rail corridor are closed, restricted or altered;

AND WHEREAS the resulting loss or restriction of access to Highway 401 and Old Highway 2 could significantly affect residents, school transportation, emergency response and access to area hospitals;

AND WHEREAS the project’s estimated cost of $60 billion to $90 billion is preliminary and cannot be properly evaluated before the route, required infrastructure, environmental and geological challenges, property acquisition costs and impacts on municipal infrastructure and services are known;

AND WHEREAS proceeding with a project of this scale without a defined route, dependable cost estimate and clear accounting of its full financial implications presents a significant risk to Canadian taxpayers;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Township of Tyendinaga reaffirms its previous resolutions and its position that it does not support the Alto High-Speed Rail Project as presented;

AND THAT Council confirms that a potential Highway 401 route through Tyendinaga Township could cause unacceptable harm to residents, farmland, Tyendinaga Public School, municipal roads and infrastructure, emergency services, and access to Highway 401, Old Highway 2 and area hospitals;

AND THAT Council calls upon the Government of Canada not to grant final approval, authorize construction or permit project-related land acquisition until Alto has publicly provided a defined route, a credible and independently reviewed cost estimate that identifies its base year and assumptions regarding inflation and construction-cost escalation, and a full assessment of impacts on affected municipalities and Indigenous communities;

AND THAT Hastings County Council be requested to consider the potential regional land-use, agricultural, infrastructure and financial implications of the Alto High-Speed Rail Project and provide its position to Alto and the Government of Canada;

AND THAT, in the interest of transparency and public accountability, any confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement concerning the Alto High-Speed Rail Project require the prior approval of Council before being signed on behalf of the Township;

AND THAT this resolution be circulated to the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport, MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Martin Imbleau, President and CEO of Alto, Premier Doug Ford, MPP Ric Bresee, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Hastings County Council, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, the 103 municipalities represented by the EOWC, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, and the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.

AND FURTHER THAT this resolution be made publicly available on the Township’s website and through its regular public communication channels.

Carried