Page 9 HIGH-SPEED RAIL WORRIES TRAIL GROUP
Page 11 DRY GRASS SPARKS FIRE CONCERN
VOLUME 40 • NO. 42 • 4 PAGES • EMBRUN, ON • APRIL 29 2026
N EWS
WORRIES SURROUNDING ALTO TRAIN PROJECT ON PRESCOTT AN RUSSELL TRAIL
GREGG CHAMBERLAIN news@eap.on.ca
new major asset on the trail.” Collard noted that the Prescott and Rus- sell Trail is an asset that provides multiple benefits. “We strongly think having a regional trail helps everyone,” said Collard, adding that the trail benefits Prescott and Russell’s tourism economy, supports physical and mental health, provides a social opportunity for residents and visitors, and also has environmental value. Fears for the Trail The SRPRRC is worried about the poten- tial impact the high-speed rail proejct could pose for the Prescott and Russell Trail. For now it is adopting a wait-and-see attitude until more definite details become available. “For us, it’s business as usual,” said Collard. “It’s not going to happen tomorrow. No one knows what it’s going to mean for us.” The main worry, Collard noted, is if the final route plan includes sections of the trail. “If the trail gets expropriated, we have no legal recourse,” said Collard, adding that a compensation cheque “does nothing” to make up for the loss of any portion or all of the trail. The non-profit group has met with both Alto representatives and MP Giovanna Min- garelli about its concerns and what it expects if the trail lands end up as part of the final route design for the rail project. “We want to have another trail built to replace the trail taken,” Collard said, adding that even then a possible replacement trail may not be as good or as scenic as the original Prescott and Russell Trail. A divided Prescott and Russell Collard noted that a small non-profit group like the SRPRRC is at a disadvantage compared to municipalities and regional
ATV CLUB OF EASTERN ONTARIO INC. CLUB DE VTT DE L’EST ONTARIO INC. ASSEMBLE GÉNÉRALE ANNUELLE ET RÉUNION DU CA ATVCEO Annual General Meeting (AGM) Mercredi 13 mai 2026 Wednesday May 13 2026 18:30/ 6:30 PM Centre Ronald Lalonde 2564 St-Pascal Road Clarence Rockland K0A3N0 Pour toutes questions/If any questions contact James Ward, President 613-913-9834 UCPR Warden Mario Zanth assured Collard that the UCPR is working to get as much definite information as possible about the high-speed rail project and its potential effect on the counties. “We’re not taking our foot off the gas on this,” said Zanth. “I think that this project brings a lot of emotions from a lot of people from a lot of different perspectives,” said Mayor Gene- viève Lajoie of Casselman. “I do have a strong feeling it’s going to happen, whether we like it or not, and I think it’simportant, rather than put all the eggs in one basket , saying ‘no, no, no’, it’s important to look at ‘what if?’, what can we do to plan for this future. I think it would be very beneficial for the Trail group to come up with a solution like that.” governments in lobbying the federal govern- ment and Alto about its concerns. “There is little we can do in the whole process,” he said, “other than sharing our concerns with our elected officials at all levels. We appreciate your support in trying to keep Prescott and Russell as one.” Collared expressed concern that the high-speed rail project could result in “a divided Prescott and Russell” if the final route plan goes through the two counties, affecting existing traffic routes for residents, eliminating recreational trails, and animal migration routes. UCPR response During the open discussion following Collard’s presentation, Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel complained about the problem that he and other municipal leaders have with “jibber jabber” when they try to get clear information about the rail project from Alto.
about what impact the project will have on communities, rural farmlands, and wildlife habits when the final route plan is decided. Prescott and Russell Trail Collard noted that the the regional rec- reational trail “had a very good season last year” for numbers of people, both local and from outside of Prescott and Russell, using the trail for hiking, cycling, snowmobiling, and other activities.
The non-profit group that manages and looks after the Prescott and Russell Recreational Trail fears that the Alto high-speed rail project could result in a “divided Prescott and Russell”. Eric Collard, executive director for the Sentier recreatif Prescott and Russell
The Prescott and Russell Trail is promotes physical, mental and social health for residents of and visitors to Prescott and Russell. The non-profit group that manages the trail fears that could be lost if the proposed high-speed rail project goes through the area. (Facebook)
Recreational Trail Corporation (SRPRRC), met with the United Counties of Prescott and Russell council (UCPR) April 22 to outline the concerns that the non-profit group has abour the proposed high-speed rail project through Eastern Ontario. “We want to share a few considerations and stuff that keep us up at night,” said Collard. High-speed rail project Alto, a Crown corporation, plans to build a 1000-kilometre high-speed rail line from Toronto to Québec City, with designated stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, and Trois-Rivières . Trains following the dedicated route will reach speeds of up to 300 kilometres an hour and the rail line will have barricade fencing to prevent animals, people and vehicles from crossing it by accident. Preliminary estimates for the project are between $80 billion to $120 billion. The first phase of the project will be a 200-kilometre section from Ottawa to Montreal. Alto conducted a three-month consultation process and is expected to release a report later this spring summa- rizing the comments, concerns and issues raised about the project. In Prescott and Russell and other parts of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec there is growing oppo- sition to the project because of concerns
The Prescott and Russell Trail winds through both Prescott and Russell counties for 72 kilometres, making up 650 acres of linear parkland that passes through most of the communities in Prescott and Russell. The trail has connections to other regional trail networks and is now part of a cross-Ca- nada trail network. The trail group estimates 120,000 visitor numbers, both first time and repeat, for the trail during 2025, “double-digit increase” Collard noted compared to visitor numbers the previous year. “We’ve got a lot of people come from Quebec, Toronto, from B.C., using the trail,” he said, “and we’re getting a pretty good reputation.” The trail is the focus for dozens of spe- cial events throughout the year in several communities. Collard indicated the trail has become “a major tourism and economic driver in the region” and the non-profit group has invested almost $1 million over the past five years on trail maintenance and impro- vements, using senior government grants, supports funds from various recreational aid groups, and its own fundraising efforts. “We are doing as much as we can to see that our trail remains the same,” said Collard. “That (past investment) does not include the $1.5 million we will invest in redevelopment of the old Bourget train sta- tion building. That is going to be our first
Snowmobiling is an important part of Prescott and Russell’s winter recreation scene and tourism sector and the Prescott and Russell Trail is one of the big attractions for snowmobilers. (Facebook)
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