Finding Solutions: Erin Durant and Michael Barrett MP on the ALTO High-Speed Rail Project

Erin Durrant shares how discovering that a proposed ALTO corridor could affect her rural property led her to examine the evolution of the project from the earlier High Frequency Rail initiative to the current high-speed rail proposal, now estimated at $60-$90 billion. She discusses concerns about the availability of project studies, proposed changes to federal expropriation procedures under Bill C-15, and the use of confidentiality agreements during project development.

Michael Barrett MP discusses feedback he says he has received from constituents across Eastern Ontario, including concerns about impacts on farms, road access, emergency response, and environmentally sensitive areas such as the Rideau Canal and Frontenac Arch Biosphere.

Erin DurantPublisher of The Canadian High-Speed Rail Files & Founder of Durant Barristers

* Substack (The Canadian High-Speed Rail Files):

* Profile: https://www.durantbarristers.com/erin-h-durant

Background: Graduate of Queen’s Law School and former litigator at Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG), one of Canada’s largest law firms. Founder of Durant Barristers, a litigation-focused boutique practice. A rural resident in the proposed Ottawa–Montreal ALTO corridor, she has applied her legal and investigative experience to independent research and analysis of the ALTO high-speed rail project.

Michael Barrett MPMember of Parliament for Leeds, Grenville, Thousand Islands and Rideau LakesShadow Minister for Veterans Affairs

* Website:

https://michaelbarrettmp.ca

Background: Former telecommunications lineman in the Canadian Armed Forces, serving domestically with the Regular Force Army and posted to CFB Edmonton. After returning to Ontario to raise a family, he served on municipal council in Edwardsburg Cardinal. First elected to the House of Commons in the 2018 by-election and re-elected since. He has become one of Parliament’s leading voices raising concerns about the ALTO high-speed rail project’s costs, consultation process, and impacts on farms, emergency services, and communities across Eastern Ontario.