Farmers Raise Concerns About ALTO’s Impact on Agricultural Lands

Recent reports indicate that farmers in Ontario and Québec are raising concerns about the proposed ALTO high-speed rail project and its potential effects on agricultural land. Multiple media outlets and industry voices have highlighted growing dissatisfaction among farmers, with some expressing concern about uncertainty, lack of detailed information, and the long-term implications for their operations. Agricultural organizations have called for additional study of how the corridor may affect farmland, particularly where linear infrastructure can permanently remove land from production and fragment existing farm operations.

The impact of expropriations for such projects is not limited to the land directly acquired. Infrastructure corridors can divide fields, alter drainage patterns, restrict access, and reduce the efficiency of farming operations across the remaining lands. These secondary impacts can affect the long-term viability and productivity of agricultural properties.

Under the Expropriations Act, landowners may be entitled to several forms of compensation where agricultural lands are impacted. Market value compensation applies to land that is taken, generally based on its highest and best use, which for working farms is often agricultural. Where the taking negatively affects the remainder of the property, additional compensation may be available for injurious affection, including reduced productivity or operational impacts caused by fragmentation. Disturbance damages may also be available for certain losses, such as crop loss, relocation costs, or additional expenses required to adapt farming operations.

As planning for ALTO advances, both project proponents and affected landowners will need to consider not only the land required through expropriation, but also the broader impacts that expropriation can have on agricultural operations and land use.