Photo: CN Rail
The CN Intermodal Hub has been approved by the Canadian Transportation Agency and both the Town of Milton and Halton Region are unhappy.
“We are extremely disappointed the CTA’s decision,” says Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “The Federal Government has once again ignored its obligation to protect the health and safety of our residents, and at a time when health is our collective focus.”
The Intermodal Hub had been a long standing issue in Milton. An Environmental Review Panel was put together in 2019 to hear both sides, review the information brought forth, and decide if the hub would have significant health impacts on Milton and the surrounding area. The results were released in January of 2020.
The Halton Municipalities and Conservation Halton are reviewing their legal options to challenge the CTA’s decision under federal and provincial laws. “I want to assure the residents of Milton that we are pursuing every avenue available us to continue the fight,” says Mayor Gordon Krantz. “We have said since day one that Milton is not the right location for CN’s truck-rail hub, and we will continue to advocate to protect our community and environment.”
CN Rail provided a statement following the CTA’s decision to approve the project.
“CN was pleased to receive the decision of the Canadian Transportation Agency respecting the proposed Milton Logistics Hub. The decision is lengthy and CN is reviewing it carefully.
“It follows the extensive environmental review process, which was completed on January 21, 2021 when the federal Minister of Environment issued a decision statement with 325 conditions designed to protect the community and the environment. CN is committed to continued engagement with indigenous groups, communities and interested parties as we move forward with the project, including with the establishment of a Community Consultation Committee.
“The Milton Logistics Hub will be an important link in the North American supply chain. Locally, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) is growing rapidly, and the approved project is needed to handle the growing demand for household goods, consumer products, and other necessities of day‑to‑day life in one of Canada’s fastest‑growing regions.
“CN will be providing more details on next steps in the near future, including the nature and timing of early site preparation and subsequent construction activities.”
If built, the Hub would be built in Milton’s Ward 4, across 400 acres of land along Tremaine Road. The project includes a new mainline rail, which will double the existing track line and add over 20 km of new rail yard track.
Ward 4 Councillors Zeeshan Hamid and Sameera Ali issued a statement following the decision.
“As the councillors for the area, we are extremely disappointed that the Federal government has once again ignored its obligation to protect the Health of Canadians and given CN a go-ahead. By doing so, the Federal Government has ignored the expertise of its own panel that it appointed, which said that the project will cause significant unmitigatable harm to the health of Miltonians. This is the only project ever to be approved despite the health impact and could set forth a dangerous precedent for all Canadians!
“We would like to reiterate that CN should seek permits like every other business and will be in violation of dozens of laws / bylaws if it proceeds without it. A private business should not be allowed to consider itself above the law, acting with impunity while ignoring rules and regulations that apply to everyone.
“We will continue to be the voice of our community on this issue and would like to reinforce our commitment to fight against the proposed CN Intermodal Hub. If construction activities on the site start without addressing our serious legal issues, we will immediately go to the court to seek injunction.
“We encourage the residents to contact the Milton MP (Adam.vanKoeverden@parl.gc.ca) and the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Steven.Guilbeault@parl.gc.ca) to let them know your concerns about the proposed truck-rail hub in the middle of Milton with 34,000 people living within 1km of the site.
“Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.”
