Ontario town wants seat at the table for high-speed rail line planning

Although Whitby is not scheduled for a station in Ottawa’s future plans for a high-speed rail line running from Quebec City to Toronto, the town wants to be part of the talks moving forward.

The exact route is still to be determined for the project, which will see Canada build its first-ever high-speed rail line at a cost of more than $60 billion, but Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy noted routing options under assessment may run north of the community and could conflict with existing rail or rural areas.

“Without early and transparent engagement, significant implications could arise for land use planning, agricultural lands, transportation networks, municipal infrastructure, and long-term growth management.”

The impacts could include grade separations, road realignments, environmental considerations, and “integration challenges” with initiatives such as the GO train expansion to Bowmanville, Roy added.

To ensure sound planning, safeguard community interests, and maximize regional benefits, Whitby is looking for a seat at the consultation table and technical and detailed briefings for town staff and council on potential corridor alignment options under consideration “within or adjacent to Whitby,” including anticipated land requirements, environmental constraints and timelines, she said.

Ottawa has committed $3.9 billion for design and development, with the first segment expected to see shovels in the ground by 2030.

Many people don’t believe Canada’s high-speed rail line will be built; however, a recent INsauga poll showed 60 per cent of respondents believe the project won’t ever get off the ground.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has been busy defending the proposal of late, with dozens of communities, conservation groups, farming associations and other organizations expressing their opposition to the high-speed rail line, which will require a 10-kilometre-wide corridor to plan the route.

Carney said the project will require only about a 10-metre swath for the actual track, and people who lose land to it will be compensated.

Alto, a crown corporation given the job of building the line, hosted several information sessions on the project this year to provide information on costs and potential routes.

Roy, in a letter to federal Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon from her and Whitby CAO Matt Gaskell, said the town is supportive of the project and recognizes the “transformative potential of this nation-building undertaking.” The investment, she added, demonstrates Ottawa’s “commitment” to modernizing transportation infrastructure across Canada’s most significant economic corridor.

“We see the Alto HSR project as a significant opportunity for Canada’s future and are committed to being a constructive partner, ensuring project success while protecting the interests of our residents, businesses, and long-term community planning.”