(June 17, 2026) – Farm groups met on June 4 to discuss Alto’s invitation to sign a collaboration agreement related to the proposed high-speed rail project.
Representatives concluded that signing such an agreement would not be in the best interests of their members at this time. Representatives cited the need for greater transparency and open communication with their memberships, as well as the need to gather, share, and discuss information and concerns openly. While the groups have declined to sign the agreement, they remain committed to working together to ensure agricultural land is not sacrificed for the proposed high-speed rail corridor.
Farm groups oppose the Toronto to Quebec City high-speed rail corridor as proposed because it would affect some of the most productive agricultural land in Ontario and Quebec. Farm groups call for a pause to the project for meaningful consultation and intentional exploration of low impact alternatives.
Representatives from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Union des producteurs agricoles, the National Farmers Union (Ontario), the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, and L’Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens attended the June 4 meeting.
Des organisations agricoles se rencontrent pour discuter du projet de train à grande vitesse Alto
(17 juin 2026) – Des organisations agricoles se sont rencontrées le 4 juin afin de discuter de l’invitation d’Alto à signer une entente de collaboration visant son projet de train à grande vitesse.
Les représentants en sont venus à la conclusion que la signature d’une telle entente ne serait pas dans l’intérêt de leurs membres respectifs pour le moment. Ils ont souligné la nécessité d’une plus grande transparence et d’une communication ouverte avec leurs membres, ainsi que l’importance de recueillir, de partager, et d’échanger des informations et des préoccupations à ce sujet. Bien que les groupes aient refusé de signer l’entente, ils demeurent déterminés à travailler ensemble afin que les terres agricoles ne soient pas sacrifiées au profit du corridor ferroviaire à l’étude.
Les organisations agricoles s’opposent au corridor ferroviaire à grande vitesse entre Toronto et Québec, comme proposé, puisqu’il traverserait certaines des terres agricoles les plus productives de l’Ontario et du Québec. Elles demandent une pause dans ce projet afin de permettre une consultation significative et une exploration sérieuse de solutions de rechange à faible impact.
Des représentants de la Fédération d’agriculture de l’Ontario, de l’Union des producteurs agricoles, de l’Union Nationale des Fermiers (Ontario), de la Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario et de l’Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens ont participé à la rencontre du 4 juin.
About the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA)
OFA represents 38,000 farm families across the province and serves as the leading advocate and strongest voice of Ontario’s farmers. As a dynamic farmer-led organization, the OFA represents and champions the interests of Ontario farmers through advocacy and government relations, research and farm policy recommendations, media and public relations, community representation, and more.
About the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO)
CFFO is an accredited farm organization representing the interests of over 4,000 farm families in Ontario who are called to the vocation of farming. CFFO policy promotes economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable farming.
About the National Farmers Union – Ontario (NFU-O)
NFU-O is made up of thousands of passionate, innovative farmers across Ontario working for a food and farm system that is better for farmers, eaters, and the land. The organization works to educate and advocate for the interests and needs of all farmers, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable agricultural future for the province.
About Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens (UCFO)
UCFO is the only accredited Francophone agricultural organization in Ontario. For more than 95 years, UCFO has represented the interests of the Franco-Ontarian agricultural sector. UCFO is the voice of more than 2000 agricultural businesses and nearly 4000 Francophone agricultural workers engaged in the socio-economic development of Ontario’s agricultural and rural communities.
About L’Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA)
UPA represents roughly 42,000 Quebec farmers as well as all forestry producers in the province.
For more information, contact:
Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-821-8883
[email protected]