The federal government has directed Alto, the corporation responsible for Canada’s high-speed rail project, to consider an additional stop in Kingston.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon made the announcement in the Limestone City on Monday, saying he was acting on what was heard in public consultations spanning three months in roughly two dozen communities this year.
The announcement comes as the project faces pushback from farmers and rural residents along the proposed route, who fear it could limit road access and divide up farmland.
Several local municipalities have passed resolutions rejecting the project.
Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette and other regional Liberal MPs joined MacKinnon for yesterday’s announcement.
Earlier this year Malette said in a statement he could not support the Alto project in the current form.
He has not issued a statement since.
Quinte News has reached out to Malette to see where he now stands on the project.
Adding an eighth stop on the corridor would likely add time to the trip and costs to the project, which currently sits between $60 billion and $90 billion.
McGill University professor Ahmed El-Geneidy calls this stop in a Liberal riding a political play that could add an extra 30 minutes to the trip.
MacKinnon argues it would not be enough to discourage ridership and would draw more ridership in Kingston.
Construction on the first leg between Ottawa and Montreal is expected to begin in 2029 or 2030.
