Hundreds of farmers from Quebec and Ontario assembled in the town of Rigaud, Quebec, on September 19, 2026 to demonstrate against the indemnity packages offered by the company Alto. The gathering brought together agricultural producers from both provinces who shared a common complaint that the compensation proposals presented by Alto fall short of what they consider adequate for the losses they have incurred.
The protest took place on the outskirts of Rigaud, a community that has become a focal point for the dispute over Alto's recent outreach to agricultural landowners. Alto, which provides indemnity payments to farmers facing crop damage or other setbacks, has rolled out a series of compensation offers that many participants described as insufficient to cover the true cost of their losses. While the company has not released the exact figures of its proposals, the farmers’ response suggests a widespread perception that the amounts do not reflect the scale of damage experienced on their farms.
Representatives from both Quebec and Ontario farming groups joined the demonstration, underscoring the cross‑provincial nature of the concern. Organizers emphasized that the issue extends beyond a single region, pointing to a broader pattern of dissatisfaction among landowners who rely on Alto's indemnity program. The protest was peaceful, with participants holding signs and voicing their grievances through chants and public statements that called for a reassessment of the compensation structure.
Alto’s indemnity scheme, introduced earlier this year, was intended to provide financial relief to agricultural producers affected by adverse conditions. However, the farmers’ demonstration in Rigaud signals that the company’s current approach may need to be revisited to address the expectations of the farming community. As the debate continues, both the agricultural sector and Alto are likely to engage in further dialogue to resolve the differences over what constitutes fair compensation.
The rally in Rigaud reflects growing pressure on Alto to adjust its indemnity framework and highlights the importance of aligning compensation measures with the realities faced by farmers across provincial borders.