Canada remains the only G7 nation without a high-speed rail (HSR) network. For decades, intercity rail planning in Ontario has stalled while residents face worsening highway congestion, high emissions, and limited travel choices. The Alto High-Speed Rail project represents a generational opportunity to modernize transit across our primary economic corridors.

Look Beyond Intergovernmental Disputes Over YTZ
We acknowledge provincial frustration with federal decisions regarding Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), but sacrificing HSR is the wrong move. Recent and ongoing expansions at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) ensure Toronto has sufficient regional airport capacity for years to come. Expanding YTZ is unnecessary and environmentally damaging—it would claim public municipal parkland, increase waterfront noise and emissions, and disrupt Lake Ontario's ecosystem.

Fair Solutions for Rural Communities
While Alto HSR has raised concerns in rural and agricultural communities regarding land use and property rights, these issues must be resolved rather than used as a reason to abandon critical transit. We can protect farmers through mandatory consultation frameworks, fair land compensation, and innovative federal-provincial agreements that grant impacted property owners a temporary, ongoing financial stake in the project.

We call upon the Government of Ontario to:

1. Reaffirm formal commitment to Alto HSR by re-engaging with federal partners in good faith to advance funding, planning, and construction.
2. Protect rural landowners by instituting strict consultation requirements and negotiating federal frameworks for temporary ongoing financial stakes (e.g., revenue-sharing or annual dividends).
3. Protect parkland and drop unnecessary airport expansion at YTZ, relying instead on expanded capacity at Pearson International (YYZ).
4. Deliver modern, low-emission travel choices by prioritizing high-capacity electrified rail for Ontario residents and visitors.

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