Alto Communication Timeline Provided at May 19 Council Meeting

At the May 19, 2026 council meeting, Township staff provided a detailed chronological report to Council to provide an update on all interactions and actions regarding the ALTO High Speed Rail. 

Staff continue to monitor any new developments or announcements and are also monitoring activity including steps being undertaken in the first identified corridor by the federal government to move forward with construction tentatively in 2029 which is between Ottawa and Montreal.  The Township is also anticipating a response this summer through Minister MacKinnon’s office in response to the April 15 meeting. Further, staff will share or provide links to any known new information published by Alto that could impact South Frontenac through our communication channels.

December 2025: 

• Representatives from Alto provided a briefing at a Council meeting.
• The presentation did not identify corridors at the time and most of the discussions during the Council meeting seemed to be under the impression that a route would likely be north of South Frontenac.

January 2026:

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

February 3, 2026, Council meeting:

• A notice of motion to oppose Alto high-speed rail was tabled by Mayor Vandewal and was unanimously supported by Council.
• Mayor Vandewal has participated in multiple media events since the February 3rd resolution.

February 18, 2026:

• Various members of staff and Council attended the Open House held by Alto at the Storrington’s Lion Hall. The open house provided access to Alto staff for questions along with multiple stations providing information on specific topics. 

March 9, 2026:

• Press conference to support the City’s request for a stop in Kingston as well as aligning the southern route through Kingston, closer to the 401 corridor. This event was covered by many media sources including CTV, CBC, Global, and the Whig-Standard. 

March 26, 2026:

• CAO and Director of Development Services attended an Alto stakeholder meeting that included, for example, staff from area municipalities and conservation authorities.

April 15, 2026:

• Mayor Vandewal proposed a notice of motion at the County of Frontenac meeting which was endorsed by County Council including Councillor Leonard. 
• South Frontenac Township CAO and the Mayor, along with Mayor Paterson and Holly Wilson from the City of Kingston, met with the honourable Minister MacKinnon, Minister of Transportation and MP Mark Gerretson in Ottawa to discuss current concerns along with promoting a Kingston stop and moving the southern route in the city closer to the 401 corridor. Minister MacKinnon advised that he had asked Alto to amend their current scope to include reviewing the addition of a Kingston stop and moving the southern corridor further south. He also advised that more information should be available in the summer to be able to advise on the joint request.

April 17, 2026:

• Mayor Vandewal was one of sixteen heads of Council included in a joint letter to 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.

The Alto consultation period ended on April 24, 2026.