Carleton Place Mayor Toby Randell (Fiie photo)
Carleton Place Mayor Toby Randell says the municipality has no authority over the proposed high-speed rail project being advanced by Alto and the federal government, but will continue advocating for residents if impacts emerge.
In a lengthy public statement, Randell said municipal governments are “at the bottom of the food chain politically” and were not consulted on the project’s routing, financing, or timeline. He noted Carleton Place, like other municipalities, does not grant permission for federally led infrastructure projects of this scale.
Randell confirmed he has spoken twice with Alto representatives — once as Warden of Lanark County and later at a conference — expressing concern that Eastern Ontario would see disruption without direct service benefits. He said roughly 500,000 residents could be required to travel up to two hours to access the rail line unless a local station is included.
The mayor emphasized that limited concrete information is available, with potential routes, costs, and timelines still undefined. As a result, he said he is reserving judgment until more facts are released.
While acknowledging potential economic and transportation benefits, Randell also cited possible community disruption, environmental impacts, and competing priorities for public spending. He encouraged residents to engage respectfully, share their views, and participate in consultation sessions as more information becomes available.
Randell said he will continue updating residents and advocating for Carleton Place should the project affect the community.
