Asphodel-Norwood Council Passes Resolution on Proposed Alto High Speed Rail

At its meeting held on April 14, 2026, Council of the Township of Asphodel-Norwood adopted the following resolution regarding the proposed Alto High Speed Rail project. The agenda materials and video recording are available at the hyperlink above.

The resolution reflects Council’s ongoing participation in the federal consultation process and outlines key concerns raised by residents, including potential impacts to property, agriculture, municipal infrastructure, and the rural character of the community.

The full resolution is provided below.

Resolution – Alto High Speed Rail Project

WHEREAS the proposed Alto High Speed Rail (HSR) project has been initiated by the Government of Canada and identified as a project of national significance as part of a nation-building initiative;

AND WHEREAS the Alto HSR initiative represents one of the largest infrastructure projects in Canada’s history, with a rail network anticipated to span approximately 1,000 kilometres and include a regional stop in Peterborough, and Council recognizes that such projects may provide economic and mobility benefits at a regional and national level;

AND WHEREAS the Township of Asphodel-Norwood is located within both the northern and southern corridor study areas currently under consideration by Alto between the Quebec City to Toronto route, and may experience significant impacts depending on the final route selected;

AND WHEREAS Council has been actively participating in the consultation process and has heard from residents who have raised concerns regarding property values, land acquisition and expropriation, impacts to agricultural operations, road closures, emergency response times, school transportation, and broader effects on rural land use;

AND WHEREAS the Mayor has been in contact with the Member of Parliament for Peterborough, who has advocated through the Ministry of Transportation for Alto to hold an open house consultation session within the Township of Asphodel-Norwood to provide residents with an opportunity to ask questions and express concerns directly, and to date, such a session has not been scheduled;

AND WHEREAS uncertainty associated with broad corridor mapping has created challenges for property owners, including impacts to investment decisions and long-term planning;

AND WHEREAS the proposed development may result in impacts to municipal infrastructure, service delivery, and finances, including potential road network changes, increased maintenance costs, and implications for emergency services;

AND WHEREAS the Township of Asphodel-Norwood has a strong agricultural base, and the protection of prime agricultural lands, farm operations, and rural economic activity is of critical importance;

AND WHEREAS the Township contains environmentally sensitive lands and critical water resources, including municipal and private water systems, and Council recognizes the importance of protecting natural habitats, groundwater resources, and culturally significant sites, including Indigenous burial grounds and rural cemeteries;

AND WHEREAS Council supports a planning approach that minimizes impacts to rural communities by considering routing infrastructure within or adjacent to existing transportation corridors where feasible;

AND WHEREAS the Premier of Ontario has indicated a preference for the Alto HSR to follow the Highway 401 corridor, to reduce impacts on communities and the environment;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

THAT the Council of the Township of Asphodel-Norwood express its concerns regarding the potential impacts of the Alto High Speed Rail project on local residents, agricultural operations, municipal infrastructure, business owners, landowners, neighbouring municipalities, and the rural character of the community;

AND FURTHER THAT Council encourage Alto and the Government of Canada to make timely decisions regarding corridor selection to reduce uncertainty for affected property owners;

AND FURTHER THAT Council request that any land acquisition or expropriation processes be transparent, clearly communicated, and provide fair and equitable compensation to affected property owners, businesses, and agricultural operators;

AND FURTHER THAT Council strongly encourage the prioritization of routing options that follow or are adjacent to existing transportation corridors, including provincial highways, in order to minimize impacts on rural municipalities, agricultural lands, and natural systems;

AND FURTHER THAT Council request confirmation that any costs associated with municipal impacts, including but not limited to road closures, realignments, crossings, service roads, and emergency service adjustments will be fully funded by the project proponent and/or senior levels of government, and not downloaded onto the municipality or its taxpayers;

AND FURTHER THAT Council request that project planning incorporate appropriate measures to protect environmental features, water resources, and community connectivity, including maintaining access to waterways, trails, and emergency services;

AND FURTHER THAT Council request that a future public consultation session be held within the Township of Asphodel-Norwood to ensure residents have accessible opportunities to review information and provide input;

AND FURTHER THAT Council request ongoing engagement and direct communication with municipal representatives as the project advances, recognizing the importance of municipalities as partners in the planning process;

AND FURTHER THAT correspondence outlining the Township’s concerns along with this resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the federal opposition parties, Senator Robert Black, the Secretary of State for Rural Development, the Secretary of State for Nature, MP Emma Harrison, MP Philip Lawrence, MPP David Piccini, Peterborough County Council, the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture, the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, and Alto.