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........

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