Lanark-Frontenac MP Scott Reid (screengrab via YouTube Livestream)
Lanark–Frontenac MP Scott Reid is voicing strong opposition to the proposed Alto high-speed rail project, bringing his concerns directly to Smiths Falls council as the town pushes to secure a stop or maintenance facility along the planned route.
Reid told councillors he believes the project carries significant financial and property-related risks, particularly for communities that support it without fully understanding the long-term implications.
One of Reid’s main concerns is how the federal government could finance the massive infrastructure project.
He pointed to independent studies suggesting Ottawa may rely on a land value capture model to help pay for the rail line.
Despite those concerns, supporters of the project continue to argue high-speed rail could transform transportation in central Canada by reducing travel times, easing highway congestion and providing a lower-emission alternative to air and car travel.
The project price tag is pegged at about $90 billion, but federal leaders from all parties anticipate a much higher total.
For Smiths Falls council, the debate now centres on whether the potential economic benefits of securing a place in the rail network outweigh the risks raised by opponents like Reid.
Story by Grant Deme
