Events

Upcoming Events

Here are upcoming events in Stone Mills and neighbouring communities potentially affected by the ALTO project.

Stay tuned for more!

Recent Events

Here are recent events held in Stone Mills and other local communities, including links to event videos or resources, when applicable.

Peaceful Protest, Parliament Hill, Wednesday, June 10, 12 - 3:30 pm, In front of the House of Commons, Ottawa

Organized by the L'Union des producteurs agricoles - UPA. This was an opportunity to show up, be seen, and be heard! Click here for a video of the speeches. Speaking Itinerary below.

- 12:30 PM: Start of the event (bilingual speech): reminder of the objective,

course of the event, and impacts on citizens: Robert Charron (maestro and
spokesperson for the group of citizens opposed to the TGV Alto QC-ON)
- 12:40 PM: Review of the 1969 expropriations, Alto and costs: Member of
Parliament Mr. Jean-Denis Garon / BQ - French
- 12:45: Handover of historical books on expropriation to the elected officials by
the 3 representatives of the UPA unions, as well as a letter of protest addressed
to PM Carney, which will be handed over to Mr. Jean-Denis Garon
- 12:50 PM: Speech: The Honourable Mr. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the
Opposition / CPC (French & English)
- 13:00 PM: Impacts and advocacy: Federal MP Mr. Jacques Gourde / CPC -
French
- 13:05 PM: Impacts on farmland in the Montreal and Ottawa corridor: Mr.
Christian Couvrette (President UPA Ste Scholastique/Mirabel) : French
- 13:10 PM: Impacts on the agricultural sectors: Ms. Jenn Pfennig - NFU Ontario
president
- 13:15 PM: Respect for citizens affected by this project - Ms. Kathleen O'Connell Renaud:
spokesperson for the United Front (Ontario team)
- 13:20 PM: The foundation of civilization: Mr. Philippe Leroux - President UPA
Deux Montagnes - French
- 13:25: Impact on municipal planning and development - Ms. Paula Banks /
municipal elected member Rideau
- 13:30: The importance of land protection and the next generation: Mr.
Sébastien Peeters - President UPA Argenteuil - French
- 13:35: Importance of preserving agricultural zones for future generations –
Mr.Warren Hammond / QC-Ontario (English)
- 13:40: The impacts of the 1969 expropriation and mental health - Mr. Sylvain
Ethier (expropriated in Mirabel) – French
- 13:45: Parceling of farms and farming difficulties – Mr.Bruno Proulx spoke
person for the Association of farmers against the HS Alto train (French and
English)
- 13:50: The impacts on the maple syrup industry - Mr. Vincent Olivier Vermette
(owner) - French
- 13:55: The forgotten risk with mental health – Ms.Audrey Arcand &.Eric
Laflamme (Écoute Agricole) French and English
- 14:00: Financial KPIs on the project - MP Scott Reid (Lanark-Frontenac) PC
- 14:05: Where is the government ethics- MP Michael Barrett / PC (Rideau
Lakes)
- 14:10: Opposition to the project by the Mohawk nation from Kanesatake
- 14:15 : End of the protest - Next steps / Closing remarks- Robert Charron &
group picture return to the buses

Trespass and Expropriation Session, Wednesday, May 20, 7 - 9:30 pm, Chute-a-Blondeau Community Centre, 2005 Principale St., Chute-a-Blondeau

Trespass Law session followed by Expropriation Seminar with Davies-Howe and then a Q&A.

Coalition for Better Rail, Wednesday, May 13, 6 - 9 pm, 516 Harmony Rd. Belleville

The Coalition for Better Rail presented practical and achievable alternative to ALTO’s high-speed rail proposal— solutions that aim to improve rail service in a way that is reliable, sustainable, and works with communities, not against them. For more information or to connect with the Coalition, please visit www.beyondalto.ca.

Community Gathering, Saturday, May 16, 10 am -12 pm, Camden East CR1 & 4 intersection

Peaceful assembly with No Alto HSR signs in solidarity with the demonstrations organized along Hwy 7 on a busy weekend when visitors and cottagers return.

Citizen-Led Town Hall — Sunday, April 26, 1:30 - 4 pm, Marmora Community Centre, 28 Victoria Ave (above the arena)

A community-led town hall focused on the proposed ALTO high-speed rail project and its potential impacts. This session brought together legal, environmental, and community voices to help inform residents and support meaningful engagement. Speakers included representatives from Davies Howe LLP (Toronto) with expertise in expropriation law, along with Cory Kozmik (environmental professional and founder of the Rural Counties Action Network), Ron Couchman, and Richard Kent, offering perspectives on land use, agriculture, and community impacts.

Save South Frontenac Town Hall - Community Summary Report — Wednesday, April 22, 5 - 6 pm, Storrington Centre, 3910 Battersea Road, Sunbury

A community town hall presenting a summary of findings and insights gathered over the past three months regarding the proposed ALTO project.

Rideau Lakes ALTO Working Group Pinning Party — Tuesday, April 21, 5 - 9 pm, Elgin Community Hall – 47 Main Street, Elgin

Community members helped out one another with navigating the ALTO website, placing pins on the interactive map, making ALTO submissions via email, and writing letters to politicians in a social setting. There were also partiamentary petitions (online and paper-based) to sign.

High-Speed Rail Impact in Ottawa & Prescott-Russell – Info Session — Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, Crosspoint Baptist Church – 3883 Navan Road, Navan

THis was an in-depth information session focused on the potential impacts of the proposed ALTO corridor in the Ottawa and Prescott-Russell region. Speakers included professionals in real estate, expropriation law, environmental science, agriculture, and geology, sharing insights into land use, ecological impacts, and long-term implications.

Beyond ALTO - Presentations by the Coalition for Better Rail — Sunday, April 19, 1- 4 pm, Tamworth Legion Hall, 714 Addington St.

The Coalition for Better Rail presented practical and achievable alternative to ALTO’s high-speed rail proposal— solutions that aim to improve rail service in a way that is reliable, sustainable, and works with communities, not against them. Click here to watch the presentations. For more information or to connect with the Coalition, please visit www.beyondalto.ca.

Central Frontenac Town Hall — Saturday, April 18, 10 am, Arden Legion, 5967 Arden Rd.

This community town hall focused on the proposed ALTO high-speed rail project and its potential impacts. Information was shared regarding route planning, land use, and community considerations, along with opportunities to ask questions and engage in discussion.

Stirling Citizen's Meeting — Sunday, April 12, 12 - 4 pm, Lions Hall , 435 West Front Street

Keynote speakers were Dr. Andrew Hyett, Cory Kozmik, and Katie Koopman. Volunteers helped with pinning and making comments on Alto’s Interactive Map.

North Belleville Info Session & Community Gathering — Wednesday, April 8, Gerry Materson Community Centre Hall

Drop-in session ran from 3 - 5 pm, with information, maps and Q&A. Evening session ran from 6:30 - 9 pm, with guest speakers Kathryn Brown and Paul Carr (Ward 2 Councillors) and Heather Levy from Save Stone Mills.

Active Hope — Wednesday, April 8, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Virtual Climate Change Workshop

Dr. Nate Charach helped participants navigate emotions around climate anxiety and find a path toward furthering a just world.

Save South Frontenac "Pinning Party" — Wednesday, April 8, 5 - 8 pm (drop in), Sydenham Library Community Room, 4412 Wheatley St.

Save Stone Mills "Pinning Party" — Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Tamworth Legion Hall, 714 Addington St.

Community members helped out one another with navigating the ALTO website, placing pins on the interactive map, and making ALTO submissions via email. There were also partiamentary petitions (online and paper-based) and paper-based letters to sign.

Expropriation Virtual Webinar — Tuesday, March 24, 8 pm

Davies Howe & Robson Associates presented on Bill C-15: Key Changes to the Federal Expropriation Act for High-Speed Rail Projects.

Gathering & Info Session — Sunday, March 22, 12-4, Tyendinaga Rec Complex, 363 McFarlane Dr., Shannonville

Event provided petitions and support with the ALTO Interactive Map and online survey. Davies Howe & Robson Associates presented on Expropriation. McCaffrey Realty Inc. Brokerage presented on how brokers are monitoring potential implications for rural home owners within the proposed corridors.

Gathering — Saturday, March 21, 10 -12, Camden East 4 corners by McCormick's (CR1 & 4)

Awareness was raised, flyers were distributed, and petitions were signed. Thanks to McCormick's Country Store for their hospitality.

Click here for a video.

Citizen Rally — Wednesday, March 18, 3 pm, Tyendinaga Recreation Hall, 363 McFarlane Rd.

Met before the municipal council meeting to peacefully say NO to ALTO! Some participants then attended the meeting.

ALTO Map "Pinning Party" — Saturday, March 14, 12 - 3 pm, Tamworth Legion Hall, 714 Addington St.

Community members helped out one another with navigating the ALTO website, placing pins on the interactive map, making ALTO submissions via email, and writing letters to politicians. There were also partiamentary petitions (online and paper-based) to sign.

Citizen Rally — Sunday, March 8, 1 - 3 pm Camden East 4 corners by McCormick's (CR1 & 4)

Awareness was raised, flyers were distributed, and petitions were signed. Thanks to McCormick's Country Store for their hospitality.

Click here for a video montage.

Informational Flyers Sent — Wednesday, March 4

Save Stone Mills sent flyers via Canada Post to all Stone Mills residents. Note that addresses registered for No Junk Mail will not receive a flyer.

Click here to view/download a copy.

Community Open House — Saturday, February 28, 10 am - 1 pm Tamworth Legion Hall

Speakers were Ted Darby (Politics, advocacy & ecological wetland concerns), Dr. Andrew Hyett (Geotechnical considerations for proposed routes), and Stephen Rayner (Appraisal & exprorpriation process). Event also included opportunities to engage with neighbours, write letters and sign petitions.

Click here to watch the presentations.