Pin Yourself on the Map
Help show what is really at stake
Every pin represents a real place, a real impact, and a real person. This map is not just data. It is a living picture of how the proposed ALTO route could affect homes, communities, farms and agriculture, businesses, sports, recreation, and the environment.
Add your pin nowAccess the ALTO Map
Click below to watch a short video showing exactly how to access the map and create your pin.
Watch step-by-step instructions
Short video guide: how to access the map and place your pin
Choose your pin category
Each category represents a different type of impact. Choose one or more that reflect the main concerns at your location. You can add more than one pin — place separate pins for your property, your business, a recreational area, a community space, or anywhere else you are affected. The pin description field allows up to 20,000 characters, so use the space to tell your full story.
Urban & Rural Integration
Property, access & services- Home, cottage, or property cut off from main road
- Farm being split, reduced, or made unusable
- Loss of access between fields, barns, storage & equipment
- Road blocked, severed, or turned into a dead end
- Reduced access for emergency services:
- Ambulance, fire, police, paramedics
- School buses, snowplows, mail delivery
- Heating fuel, septic, hydro, internet repairs
- Driveway or access point no longer usable
- Property split in half or partially expropriated
- Landlocked with no practical alternative route
- Increased travel time for work or farm operations
- Delays to medical clinics
Most common category for homes, farms & services
Social or Cultural
Identity, community & way of life- Breakdown of a close-knit rural or farming community
- Loss of daily routines, neighbour connections & shared support
- Threat to heritage sites, historical sites & Indigenous artefacts
- Impact to multi-generational farming legacies
- Disruption to:
- Community halls & gathering spaces
- Local clubs: curling, pickleball, tennis, agricultural fairs, legions
- Community-run events and traditions
- Loss of access to spiritual centres, churches & cemeteries
- Loss of peace, quiet & rural identity
- Emotional impact of being forced to leave land tied to livelihood
Captures what cannot be replaced with compensation
Environmental
Nature, ecosystems & wildlife- Farmland soil disruption or loss of productive land
- Impacts to drainage, irrigation, natural water flow, wells & septic
- Wetlands, marshes & water systems that should not be disturbed
- Wildlife corridors allowing animals to safely move through the region
- Wildlife at risk — turtles, snakes, birds, bats, fish
- Threatening species at risk
- Impact on trees, flowers & vegetation
- Areas where wildlife nests or migrates
- Forest clearing or habitat fragmentation
- Noise and vibration affecting livestock and wildlife
- Impacts on UNESCO biosphere or protected ecological areas
Commercial or Industrial
Businesses & livelihoods- Farming & agricultural operations: crops, livestock, maple syrup, apiaries
- Loss of access for equipment, supply deliveries & product transport
- Increased costs or delays affecting farm viability
- Disruption to tourism, agritourism, resorts, hunting & fishing
- Construction, service businesses, trades, contractors
- Local manufacturing, artisans, retail, marinas, campgrounds
- Loss of clients, customers, or access routes
Recreational
Sports, outdoor use & enjoyment- Lakes used for boating, kayaking, canoeing, swimming & fishing
- Trails used for hiking, cycling, snowmobiling & cross-country skiing
- Sports: hockey, skating, pickleball, tennis, curling, local leagues
- Areas used for relaxation, nature & active lifestyles
- Campgrounds, lockstations & gathering spaces tied to recreation
- Loss of quiet enjoyment due to noise or construction
Includes both casual recreation and organized sports
General
Doesn't fit another category, or spans severalUse this if your concern does not clearly fit a single category, or if it spans across multiple areas of impact.
Which category for your home, property, farm, or business?
- Urban & Rural Integration (orange) for access, land, farm operations, or residential property
- Social / Cultural (yellow) for multi-generational family, community, or legacy impact
- Commercial (blue) if your farm or business is primarily a livelihood concern
You can choose one category and describe the rest in your pin text. And remember: you can add more than one pin. Place a separate pin for your home, your business, a trail, a lake, a community space, or any other location that matters to you.
Write your pin
The most effective pins are clear, personal, and specific. The description field allows up to 20,000 characters, so use the space to tell your full story and explain how this project impacts you.
Start with your connection
Ground your pin in your personal relationship to the land or place.
Describe features of your category
Urban & Rural Integration: property or farmland type, terrain, soil, vegetation, livestock, wells, septic, utilities, services
Social or Cultural: clubs, get-togethers, traditions, heritage sites, historic monuments
Environmental: streams, creeks, rivers, lakes, wetlands, beaver ponds, waterfalls, tile drainage, irrigation, flora, wildlife, species at risk, Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve
Commercial or Industrial: type of business, jobs, tourism, agriculture, equipment, deliveries, hunting, fishing
Recreational: sports, physical activity, entertainment
Explain what is at risk
Describe the real impact
What changes in your daily life or work?
- - Can you still access your land or fields?
- - Can emergency services reach you?
- - Can your farm or business continue operating normally?
- - Can you still work, or get to work on time?
- - Can you still visit your neighbours and friends?
- - Can you still go hiking or use local trails?
Be specific — name the place
✍️ Use strong, clear language
Your pin should be direct and impactful. Don't minimize the impact. Say exactly what will happen.
Avoid vague wording
- "This might affect us"
- "This could be an issue"
- "We may experience some disruption"
Instead, say exactly what will happen
- "This will split our farm and make it impossible to operate efficiently."
- "This will cut off our only access road."
- "Emergency services will not be able to reach our home."
- "Our business will become unsustainable."
- "We will lose our home, our land, and our livelihood."
Final note
Choose your category based on the main impacts. Use your description to tell the full story.
Behind every pin is a real person, a real place, and a real life.
Frequently asked questions
What if I'm not sure which pin category to choose?
Choose the category that reflects your main concern(s).
- Access, property, or farm operations → Urban & Rural Integration
- Business or livelihood → Commercial or Industrial
- Home or community → Social or Cultural
You can describe multiple impacts in your pin text, and add separate pins for different locations.
Can I still add a pin if I'm not directly on the proposed route?
Yes. If you are affected indirectly, your input still matters:
- You rely on a road that may be impacted
- Your business or clients are affected
- You use the area for recreation or sports
What if my situation fits more than one category?
That's normal. Choose the primary category, then describe the full impact in your pin.
How detailed does my pin need to be?
Keep it simple but clear. Even 2–4 strong sentences is enough if they are specific and direct.
Can I include emotional impact, or should it just be facts?
Include both. Facts explain what is happening. Emotion explains why it matters.
What if I don't know all the technical details?
You don't need them. Focus on your lived experience:
- your home
- your road
- your community
- your daily life
Can I submit more than one pin?
Yes, and we encourage it. You can add separate pins for each place that matters to you:
- your home or residential property
- your farm or agricultural land
- your business
- a trail, lake, or recreational area you use
- a community hall, club, or gathering space
- any other location where you experience an impact
Each pin tells its own story and adds to the overall picture of how many places are affected.
Will my pin actually make a difference?
Yes. This map helps show how many people are affected, where impacts are concentrated, and the real-world consequences of the proposed route. Every pin adds to the picture.
Should I include my full address?
No. Be specific (road, lake, area), but avoid sensitive personal details.
How long does it take to add a pin?
Most people can complete it in 2–3 minutes.
