Kingston is being considered as a potential stop on Canada’s proposed high-speed rail network, following months of advocacy from local officials and public consultation.
The development was announced June 22 at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, where Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon and Alto President and CEO Martin Imbleau released Alto’s What We Heard Report, which summarized feedback gathered during public consultations held between October 2025 and June 2026.
They were joined by Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson, members of Kingston City Council, Kingston and the Islands MP Mark Gerretsen, Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette, and South Frontenac Mayor Ron Vandewal.
The announcement comes during Alto’s development phase, which the federal government said will take approximately five years. Earlier this year, the government committed $3.9 billion over six years to fund engineering work, assessments, Indigenous consultation, and procurement before construction decisions are made.
Alto, the Crown corporation responsible for developing Canada’s proposed high-speed rail network, has been directed to develop and assess a southern route option between Peterborough and Ottawa that includes a potential station in Kingston. The assessment will examine the route’s technical, environmental, and community impacts before any final decision is made on station locations.
According to the report, earlier this year, Alto identified a preferred southern route running between Peterborough and Toronto. While the route would pass through Eastern Ontario, Kingston was not initially included as a proposed station location.
The report also stated that Kingston emerged as a recurring topic throughout the consultation process. Community members, municipal leaders, and stakeholders argued that a Kingston stop would improve regional connectivity and increase ridership across Eastern Ontario.
Supporters argued that a Kingston station would strengthen connections between Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Eastern Ontario while serving major institutions like Queen’s, St. Lawrence College, and the Royal Military College.
The Alto project has also drawn opposition from rural landowners, farm organizations, and some political leaders. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture has raised concerns about the potential loss of productive farmland and the impacts of land expropriations.
According to the Kingstonist, Conservative MP Scott Reid for Lanark-Frontenac and MP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Micheal Barrett Lakes have also opposed Alto’s proposed routes. They cited concerns over land expropriation, impacts on rural communities, and the project’s overall cost.
At a June protest on Parliament Hill, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said he would cancel the “$90-billion white elephant” project if elected, arguing it would require land expropriations and come at too high a cost.
“Canadians shared valuable perspectives through Alto’s consultation process, and we are acting on what we heard,” MacKinnon said in his announcement. “The announcement that Kingston is being considered as a potential stop on Canada’s future high-speed rail network reflects the strength of local engagement and advocacy.”
The proposed Alto network would span approximately 1,000 km between Toronto and Québec City, with trains travelling at speeds of up to 300 km per hour.
Earlier this year, Kingston City Council voted to support Alto’s southern route option on the condition that the network include a station serving Kingston.
According to Alto’s What We Heard Report, a Kingston stop would likely connect with the existing VIA Rail station and could reduce travel time between Kingston and Toronto to about 90 minutes. The Crown corporation also said the location would allow most residents living between Peterborough and Ottawa to reach a station within a 30-minute drive.
A final decision regarding station locations has not been made. In the report, Alto said further technical studies and consultation are required before station locations are finalized.
Tags
Alto, high-speed rail, Mark Gerretsen, What We Heard Report
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