More than 500 people crowded into the Crosspoint Baptist Church in Navan on the evening of Tuesday, April 21, to share their concerns about the Alto high-speed rail project. The proposed rail line, planned to run from Toronto to Quebec City, will begin its first leg of construction from Montreal to Ottawa. Many in Navan are worried about what the construction could mean for their land and livelihoods.
Community Fears Over Property and Expropriation
Dave Bergeron, who owns a farm in Hammond, expressed concerns about the impact on his hay fields and dairy animals. He noted that a neighbor sold property after learning it lies within the proposed corridor. "The rail would run right by the south end of our property. And our neighbour that backs onto our field, he already has his property up for sale," Bergeron said. "Because when he moved there, he bought two lots. And now one of his lots is going to be eaten up by this, if that’s where they put it." Bergeron, 60, also fears the project could derail his retirement plans, as property values have already dropped.
Cheyanne Ash, a member of the Navan Fair board of directors, highlighted the community's anxiety as residents start receiving letters from Alto. Some worry about property values, while others fear expropriation. "This is their livelihood. This is how they pay themselves. They don’t work for somebody," Ash said. "My neighbour three doors down from me, his house is right (in the corridor). If he gets kicked out, where is his family going to live? He’s a family of seven. He has five kids. Where are they going to go?"
Presentation by Woodlot Owners' Association
Jean Saint-Pierre, president of Boisés Est, a woodlot owners' association in Eastern Ontario, delivered a thorough presentation outlining the risks and uncertainties of the project. He noted that members have started receiving letters from Alto and emphasized the need for more clarity on easements and compensation. The proposed corridor currently spans wide swaths of land, which will be narrowed in the coming months as Alto incorporates feedback from its first open house and consultation period, which ended on Friday, April 24.
Attendees came from as far as South Frontenac and Mirabel, as their properties also fall within the corridor. The interactive map on Alto's website allows visitors to pinpoint areas and provide feedback, but many residents feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed.
Broader Implications for the Community
The town hall revealed deep-seated worries about the project's impact on farming, property values, and community stability. Bergeron summed up the sentiment: "It’s hard to say because you can never get a proper answer as far as how much easement they’re going to take. You always think it’s going to be more. That’ll eat up probably at least a quarter of my hay field." As the consultation period continues, residents await clearer answers from Alto about the future of their land.
