Daniel Legault’s family has been involved in farming since 1929. Over the past three decades, he has managed Ferme Legault, a dairy and cereal farm in Rigaud, Quebec, with his wife and son. However, a proposed high-speed rail project threatens to divide his land and disrupt operations. Legault, who aims to pass on the business to his grandsons, expressed concern over the potential impact of the train line cutting through his property, which could hinder access to essential routes and require significant detours, affecting daily operations and animal care.
The proposed rail project by Alto is expected to affect around 1,700 properties, including 500 farms between Ottawa and Montreal. Legault highlighted the lack of communication from project authorities, leaving his family uncertain about the future of their farm. Jérémie Letellier, president of a regional agricultural federation, emphasized the catastrophic consequences for farming communities due to the proposed rail line, potentially leading to reorientation or termination of farming activities.
Letellier criticized Alto for its lack of transparency and consultation with farmers, raising concerns about the impact on farmland and property access. In response, a spokesperson for Alto, Caroline Des Rosiers, assured that efforts would be made to minimize impacts on agricultural communities, including building overpasses and underpasses where feasible to maintain access and prevent isolation of areas.
While public consultations have begun, with plans for further discussions and detailed route presentations, the Legault family remains apprehensive about the project’s implications on their longstanding farming legacy. Despite commitments to fair compensation and long-term considerations, the uncertainties surrounding the high-speed rail project have stalled the family’s future plans and created a sense of discouragement.
