Alto outlines property buyout plan for Toronto-Quebec City rail project

Alto, the Crown corporation leading Canada’s proposed highspeed rail line, has released new details on how it plans to acquire land and compensate owners along the route. The federal government intends to build the first segment between Ottawa and Montreal, while the full TorontotoQuebec City system is projected to cost between $60 billion and $90 billion. Alto says it will narrow the current study corridor to a final rightofway about 60 metres wide by this fall. The company says it aims to negotiate purchases first and avoid expropriation where possible, but it may use the process when needed to speed up land acquisition. Compensation would be based on market value, moving costs, business losses, and other impacts, with independent appraisals used to set amounts. Alto also says farmers affected by construction disruptions, temporary access limits, or damaged drainage systems may be compensated, and it plans to restore agricultural land after work is finished.