AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE – MINUTES – 126th meeting / Monday, June 9, 2026, at 3 p.m.

The chair proposes a recommendation to the Agricultural Advisory Committee and reads it. It echoes the statements made this morning by various actors, both from the agricultural world and provincial politicians. This recommendation aims to support the Alto project and officially requests that the issues raised by farmers be considered.

Subsequently, questions, answers, and comments were formulated regarding, among other things:

• It is noted that there have been several resolutions in opposition to the Alto project, notably by UPA unions, to demand more transparent consultations with the affected environments;
• It is believed that the Alto project route will scar the territory, as it will be fenced and offer few crossing points;
• A demonstration will take place on Parliament Hill to oppose the way the Alto project is currently being conducted, initiated by the local UPA unions of Argenteuil, Deux-Montagnes, and Mirabel;
• Part of the projected route will be on the Quebec side, but it will not encroach on Gatineau's agricultural territory;
• Gatineau will benefit from this project, as one of the three stops on the initial route is located in Gatineau;
• Agricultural lands will be cut in two, without any access to the other half of the land. This situation is compared to the construction of Highway 50. Owners had to sell half of their land and reduce the size of their farm;
• Municipalities are opposing the projected route and refusing access to lands they own;
• This is a historic structuring project for the region. We must consider the agricultural environment that will not benefit from this project and will be directly affected. It is estimated that approximately 500 farms will be affected between Ottawa and Montreal;
• More transparency is requested regarding the cost of the project, which will be borne by taxpayers;
• Since the project is considered a major project, the BAPE (Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement) will not conduct environmental consultations;
• Regarding expropriations, no representation will be possible;
• Issues regarding the timing and width of the route are highlighted. Some agricultural producers are exposed to heavy losses on their investments, as they still do not know if the route will pass through their land or the neighboring land. It is recommended to go further in the consultation and determination process of the project's planning and localization phase.

R-CCA-2026-06-09/05

CONSIDERING THAT the Alto project aims to improve high-speed rail mobility in the Quebec–Toronto corridor; CONSIDERING THAT structuring public transit infrastructure can contribute to sustainable mobility, responsible land use, and regional economic development in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; CONSIDERING THAT the protection of agricultural land, agricultural activities, and rural communities constitutes a priority for the City of Gatineau, for the elected officials of the Outaouais, and the Government of Quebec; CONSIDERING THAT the concerns of female farmers, farmers, landowners, and affected municipalities must be taken into account from the early planning stages;

CONSEQUENTLY, the Agricultural Advisory Committee:

• Supports the Alto project as an essential structuring sustainable mobility infrastructure, subject to rigorous planning that is respectful of agricultural and rural environments;
• Highlights the importance of limiting impacts on agricultural land, agricultural activities, natural environments, and the safety of local travel;
• Recommends that the Gatineau municipal council continue its representations to the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada to ensure that the interests of the Outaouais, as well as the agricultural environments, landowners, affected municipalities, and rural communities affected by the project continue to be consulted in a transparent, sustained, and meaningful way and are fully taken into consideration in the evolution of the Alto project.

The vote is requested: 2 for, 3 against, 1 absent.

REJECTED BY MAJORITY