The Alto-Cadence high-speed rail project: The wrong priority. The wrong time.

On September 19^th : Ontario and Québec rural communities are drawing the line

RIGAUD, QC, Sept. 14, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada is facing a trade war, mounting affordability pressures and economic uncertainty. Yet Ottawa continues to advance Alto - a massive high-speed rail project being co-developed by the federal Crown corporation Alto and Cadence, the private development partner selected to design the network and, subject to future approvals, build, finance, operate and maintain it. Public estimates have placed its potential cost as high as $90 billion, even though no final construction budget has been confirmed.

Voters and taxpayers are asking: Why hasn't Alto been derailed?

On Sept. 19, Ontario and Québec will answer together. STRONG & UNITED - RASSEMBLEMENT FORT ET UNIS will bring taxpayers, business owners, farmers and families together at Fermes Legault in Rigaud to send a clear message: Alto is the wrong priority. Journalists and media representatives are invited to participate.

EVENT INFORMATION:
STRONG & UNITED - FORT ET UNIS
Sept. 19, 2026
Fermes Legault, 1100 Chemin St-Thomas, Rigaud, QC
Gates open at 10 a.m. Tractor parade begins at noon
Event details: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/rassemblement-fort-unis-contre-le-tgvstrong-united-against-alto-rally-tickets-1999789888389

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Ian Lee, associate professor at Carleton University's Sprott School of Business will discuss the economics of Alto.

Businesses and families are under increasing financial pressure. Before committing tens of billions of public dollars to Alto, Canadians deserve clear answers about its total cost, projected ridership, business case and long-term value.

Erin Durant, founder of Durant Barristers, will address the governance and ethics of the Alto project.

Fundamental questions about Alto's cost, impacts, route and decision-making process remain unanswered. Communities have raised serious concerns about transparency and consultation. When government decisions can permanently affect homes, farms, businesses and communities, listening is not enough. Project proponents must demonstrate how public concerns will influence the decisions being made.

Sébastien Lemire, Member of Parliament for Abitibi--Témiscamingue and Bloc Québécois critic for agriculture, agri-food and supply management, will speak about Canadian food sovereignty.

"This isn't about being anti-rail," said ALTNO Director and East Hawkesbury acclaimed Councillor Kathleen O'Connell Renaud. "It's about whether this is the right project, at the right time and at the right cost--and whether the government is actually listening to the people who will pay the price.

"Canada's future must be built with our communities, not through them."

This is an election issue

Québec's provincial election campaign and Ontario's municipal election campaigns are underway. Voters are watching what candidates and governments do--not simply what they say. On election day, those choices will matter.

"They may try to divide this issue by province. We won't let them," said Robert Charron, Mirabel City Councillor and spokesperson for GOTA (Groupe Opposition TGV d'Alto). "This is Québec and Ontario standing together--farmers with farmers, families with families, rural communities with rural communities."

On Sept. 19, Québec and Ontario will stand together with one clear message: 

OUR COMMUNITIES ARE NOT EXPENDABLE.

SOURCE: ALT-NO (unitedagainstalto.ca) (nontgv.ca) and Groupe d'opposition au TGV d'Alto (GOTA)

For further information: French-language media: Robert Charron, Email: [email protected], Telephone: [phone]; English-language media: Kristin Muller, Email: [email protected], Telephone: [phone]