[scottd]

The Hilliers of the world aside, proper communications, particularly acknowledging the rural mindset, might alleviate some of the concerns. Proposing a corridor that will be isolated out of necessity raises concerns about being cut or (or at least greatly inconvenienced) from farm fields, family, adjacent communities for services, etc. Telling a farmer they have to go an extra distance to get equipment or stock on a field because an underpass is too small, or telling someone they have travel 20 extra kilometers to buy a bag of milk, isn't going to garner friends. The area isn't like parts of central or western Ontario that are grids of regular concession and side roads where a diversion is often a couple of kilometers.

Add to that wildlife crossing since the ROW will cut through the Park-to-Park corridor that follows the Frontenac Arch between Algonquin and the Aderondacks.

No doubt a lot of this is solvable. HSR is new to us but not the world.

Good points and its important to separate real concerns that people might have versus the Hillier crowd. I hang in that area and have watched these folks for years. You cant win with them because they constantly move the goalposts because they need to be victims at all times. A lot of this crowd follow "the Queen of Canada" and the sovereign citizen movement. If you drive around this part of the province you can find people with newspaper boxes at the end of their driveways with copies of Druthers, a conspiracy tabloid that is pure hate and kook. So I agree the best thing is to address peoples real concerns honestly and up front otherwise these conspiracy people, as they are want to do, will use it to give wind to their sails.

 

[micheal_can]

Good points and its important to separate real concerns that people might have versus the Hillier crowd. I hang in that area and have watched these folks for years. You cant win with them because they constantly move the goalposts because they need to be victims at all times. A lot of this crowd follow "the Queen of Canada" and the sovereign citizen movement. If you drive around this part of the province you can find people with newspaper boxes at the end of their driveways with copies of Druthers, a conspiracy tabloid that is pure hate and kook. So I agree the best thing is to address peoples real concerns honestly and up front otherwise these conspiracy people, as they are want to do, will use it to give wind to their sails.

That is why I hope that they are able to say their mind and then the consortium just says "Ok,moving on..." Everyone has that right to voice their opinions, but we as a society have the right to ignore those voices if they are extreme.

 

[lenaitch]

Good points and its important to separate real concerns that people might have versus the Hillier crowd. I hang in that area and have watched these folks for years. You cant win with them because they constantly move the goalposts because they need to be victims at all times. A lot of this crowd follow "the Queen of Canada" and the sovereign citizen movement. If you drive around this part of the province you can find people with newspaper boxes at the end of their driveways with copies of Druthers, a conspiracy tabloid that is pure hate and kook. So I agree the best thing is to address peoples real concerns honestly and up front otherwise these conspiracy people, as they are want to do, will use it to give wind to their sails.

I'm not sure I would broad-brush the area residents to that extent. The wife used to work in Sharbot Lake, and we still have friends there. I have worked with guys born and raised in Lanark and Renfrew Counties. Yup, they're rural, but I'm not sure how different they than other rural parts of the province. Recalling old police intelligence data, there were more 'sovereign citizens' in western Ontario than any other parts.

Most of the residents won't see the benefit of HSR. There will be few stops and, quite frankly, many have no interest or desire to travel to Toronto or Montreal. Ottawa perhaps moreso. If whole project comes off as a disruptive PITA, built by big companies 'from away', they will naturally ask 'what's in it for them' in the long term.

 

[scottd]

I'm not sure I would broad-brush the area residents to that extent. The wife used to work in Sharbot Lake, and we still have friends there. I have worked with guys born and raised in Lanark and Renfrew Counties. Yup, they're rural, but I'm not sure how different they than other rural parts of the province. Recalling old police intelligence data, there were more 'sovereign citizens' in western Ontario than any other parts.

Most of the residents won't see the benefit of HSR. There will be few stops and, quite frankly, many have no interest or desire to travel to Toronto or Montreal. Ottawa perhaps moreso. If whole project comes off as a disruptive PITA, built by big companies 'from away', they will naturally ask 'what's in it for them' in the long term.

When I say Hillier crowd I am being pretty specific. You can see the protest signs on the side of the road . You can find the literature dropped off at locations all over. But of course they are loud but small in number. Dealing with real concerns rooted in reality by citizens will stop the misinformation and deliberate rage farming. There are already numerous phoney newsletters being circulated pretending to be from township offices or Alto. Thankfully many small towns like Havelock (

) welcome the line because of the possibility of a maintenance facility and at least jobs as there are many in the community with rail experience.

 

[micheal_can]

Is there a date when they will be releasing the final plan, or the options for the final plan?

 

[generalcanada]

Is there a date when they will be releasing the final plan, or the options for the final plan?

"fall" at the same time they will do another round of consultations

 

[micheal_can]

"fall" at the same time they will do another round of consultations

So, final plan released some time in 2027-28?

 

[legoswmonkey]

My understanding is that the final alignment will be publicly announced at the start of 2027.

 

[micheal_can]

My understanding is that the final alignment will be publicly announced at the start of 2027.

So, a whole year of the belly aching as to where it should or should not go, what stops it must and must not do, and of course, downtown or suburban stops. Sounds wonderful....

 

[nfitz]

My understanding is that the final alignment will be publicly announced at the start of 2027.

That surely can't be detailed, but only approximate, which would trigger the start of the detailed design I.e. north corridor vs south corridor. Which lakes do they want to run through.

 

[APTA-2048]

Something I don’t think was mentioned here (if it was, apologies): one of the Alto staff said one possibility would be a station within walking distance of Union, instead of right at Union. I asked about East Harbour, and the impression I got was that is something they were very much not interested in. Union Station itself or somewhere within walking distance (in a worst case) was what looked like the goal.

 

[micheal_can]

Something I don’t think was mentioned here (if it was, apologies): one of the Alto staff said one possibility would be a station within walking distance of Union, instead of right at Union. I asked about East Harbour, and the impression I got was that is something they were very much not interested in. Union Station itself or somewhere within walking distance (in a worst case) was what looked like the goal.

It has been discussed here.

 

[guavadelic]

My understanding is that the final alignment will be publicly announced at the start of 2027.

Have they specified if it will be the full alignment or just the 1st segment between Ottawa and Montreal?

 

[reinventingthewheel]

Have they specified if it will be the full alignment or just the 1st segment between Ottawa and Montreal?

Full alignment, however there’s no confirmation when any information will be shared with the public.

Consultation and planning will define 2026, which in turn will lead to the identification of a proposed alignment. Assessment of the environmental data and detailed design work will follow in 2027 and 2028.
…
This is how we’re making sure that all the bases are covered before reaching construction-readiness in 2029.
…
All that to say: we understand the questions. We know what we need to do to answer them, and we’re on track. But answering them now, before we have all the information we need, would be irresponsible, and not in the best interest of the project or of the Canadian public it will serve.

Source

They have no obligation to share anything but it’s in their best interest to keep us informed (and encouraged) when they have made definite decisions.

 

[lenaitch]

Full alignment, however there’s no confirmation when any information will be shared with the public.


Source

They have no obligation to share anything but it’s in their best interest to keep us informed (and encouraged) when they have made definite decisions.

Any detailed information about routing and proposed ROW will have economic implications (land speculation, etc.).