The tone of my sister’s phone call had me bracing for the worst. She was calling on a very important matter. Did I know about the high-speed train that could run close to our cottage?

Whew. Yes, of course, I knew. It’s been in the works since 2008.

Off she went on a half-informed rant. She had just found out about it from her neighbourhood Facebook group where everyone there is against it. What’s in this for her? She was going to the next meeting to speak her mind.

This was the same person who grew up beside a rail line, just like I did. But the fervour of her neighbours had her fired up.

This contagion is affecting other normally rational people as well. Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen posted this panicked message on his Facebook page: “Take a look at this!?? This map shows the two high-speed rail routes currently being studied by Alto Train…Now is the time to speak up and highlight why a stop near Kingston matters.”

As if he wasn’t in the caucus meeting where this was discussed.

Further northeast, Conservative MP Scott Reid has gone completely off the rails, even though he voted for this project when it began. He has started a petition that has 10,564 signatures arising from his fearmongering.

He has also written to every municipality in his riding of Lanark-Frontenac, saying the project will cost taxpayers as much as $90 billion (true), equal to $9,000 for every family of four, across Canada (ridiculous and untrue).

Meanwhile, our MP Emma Harrison is sitting mum. She is likely feeling the heat from farmers who worry that their properties will be in the train’s path.

Welcome to the big leagues. Here’s what’s at stake.

This is Peterborough’s chance to connect to major centres so we can tap into their wealth and opportunity. Don’t blow it due to those thinking only of their own interest and those who have yet to see the potential ahead.

As a person who drives Hwy. 7 to Ottawa regularly, I would LOVE to take a train instead. It would have spared us from white-knuckle driving like we did last week during freezing rain.

After travelling effortlessly in Europe by train, this is the way to go. It’s efficient, fast and gets more cars off the road.

When I look at the work that has gone into putting Peterborough at the centre of this conduit, it would be a huge loss to let more seasoned politicians take it away.

Former MP Dean Del Mastro fought to get this into the 2008 federal budget, then a team of local champions proved it was feasible. That groundwork led to VIA Rail’s interest in 2016; its influence pushed ahead so the connection would go all the way to Union Station.

Don’t let Kingston take it away.

Listen to Transport Minister Steve McKinnon and Prime Minister Mark Carney when they say we need to dream big — and follow through. Not the status quo-loving locals who don’t even know if their land will be affected.

I’ve read their comments on the Millbrook and Stewart Hall Facebook groups. They are freaking out that we may have a train station near Cold Springs, which is about three miles from my house.

“What about the noise and traffic?” they say. “What about the ability to get on a train within five minutes of my house?” I reply. Fantastic.

Remember what commuting was like before we had Hwy. 115. Or air travel before the amazing array of BST Travel flights out of the Peterborough airport.

Now is the time to speak up for Peterborough.

© Peterborough Examiner