Trent Hills Council Raises Serious Concerns Regarding Proposed Alto High-Speed Rail Study Corridor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Municipality of Trent Hills
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026

Trent Hills Council Raises Serious Concerns Regarding Proposed Alto High-Speed Rail Study Corridor

The Council of the Municipality of Trent Hills has reviewed the proposed study corridor for the Alto high-speed rail initiative and has raised serious concerns about potential impacts within the Municipality.

Preliminary corridor mapping currently published by Alto indicates that potential route options would affect two of Trent Hills’ primary settlement areas, Hastings and Campbellford, which serve as core residential, commercial, and service centres for the Municipality.

Although no final route has been selected or approved and the project remains in the federal planning and consultation phase, Council considers the potential implications for Trent Hills residents, businesses, property owners, and the natural environment to be significant and requiring immediate engagement, transparency, and detailed clarification from the Government of Canada as the project proponent.

The Municipality has initiated direct contact at the federal level.

Chief Administrative Officer Karen Frigault has communicated with the office of Philip Lawrence, Member of Parliament for Northumberland–Peterborough South, to formally convey Council’s concerns and to request assistance in encouraging the Government of Canada, as project proponent, to hold an in-person public information session in Trent Hills. Council believes that where corridor options affect these core communities, residents must have direct, local access to information and engagement opportunities.

Mayor Bob Crate, Deputy Mayor Michael Metcalf, and CAO Karen Frigault are scheduled to meet early next week with Alexis Doyle, a representative of Alto, to formally present Council’s concerns and to clearly state that the Municipality expects meaningful consultation, full transparency, and a thorough assessment of impacts where its primary settlement areas may be affected.

Mayor Crate stated:

“Hastings and Campbellford are two of the core communities within Trent Hills. They are home to thousands of residents, established neighbourhoods, local businesses, and critical community services. Council has a responsibility to ensure that any proposal affecting these areas is subject to full transparency, rigorous impact analysis, and meaningful consultation.”

Deputy Mayor Metcalf added:

“Council is united in protecting the long-term interests of our community. We expect detailed technical information, comprehensive environmental and economic assessment, and a process that respects property rights, municipal planning authority, and the well-being of our residents.”

Council remains open to infrastructure investment that clearly demonstrates measurable benefit to Trent Hills and proceeds with robust consultation, mitigation planning, and accountability. However, Council will oppose any route that would adversely affect Trent Hills, including any of its settlement areas, rural lands, and natural features, without a clear local benefit and a comprehensive review.

Council intends to consider a formal resolution at its March Council meeting to formally affirm and further articulate its position on this matter.

The Municipality will continue to engage directly with federal representatives and project officials and will provide updates as further information becomes available.