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Rail Transportation

During question period, a Conservative member asked about the Alto high-speed rail project, saying the government was having people sign non-disclosure agreements related to acquiring farmland and asking when a 30-day termination period on one such agreement begins. A Liberal minister replied in support of the project, saying it would connect Ontario and Quebec, create jobs and cut pollution, and suggested the Conservatives now oppose a project they previously supported.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Jacques Gourde

Conservative
“A government rail project is making people sign secrecy deals so it can take over farmland faster. One secret deal can be ended in 30 days. When does that 30-day clock start?”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, yesterday, at the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, we learned that Alto, a project commissioned by the Liberal government, has been signing non-disclosure agreements with property appraisers, surveyors, well-known law firms, local authorities and even the former Quebec government, with the objective of accelerating the expropriation of agricultural land along the route. In the interests of full transparency, the secret agreement with the former Quebec government contains a 30-day termination clause. Does this period begin from the date of signature or from the date the notice of termination is served?

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Carlos Leitão

Liberal
“I support the Alto high-speed rail project. It will connect Ontario and Quebec, create thousands of jobs, and cut pollution. The Conservatives used to support it, but now they are against it.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 39 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question, because the Alto high-speed rail project is a very important issue. I would like to know whether our Conservative friends agree. I do not believe they do. I think our Conservative friends are against the Alto project. After having supported it for many years, they have now suddenly decided that it is no longer worthwhile. For our part, we see it as a project for the future. It will help build a much stronger country by connecting Ontario and Quebec, creating thousands of jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. That is why we support the Alto project.

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