On February 12, 2020, Halton Regional Council endorsed a resolution calling on the Federal Government to refuse CN’s proposal for a truck-rail hub in Milton. The resolution is based on the Federal Review Panel’s assessment that the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects on air quality and human health, and that additional significant effects are likely to occur.
“Halton Municipalities’ concerns have been justified given that the independent expert Panel found CN’s proposal will have significant adverse environmental effects. CN has consistently denied that its proposed project will negatively impact our community,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “Regional Council’s resolution reflects our deep resolve to protect our community. We are asking the Federal Government to do the right thing and refuse federal approval of the proposed CN Milton Logistics Hub.”
The proposed truck-rail hub is a 400-acre project that includes a new mainline rail, which will double the existing track line and add over 20 kilometers of new rail yard track. The facility will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and result in at least 1,600 truck trips to and from the facility each day. The proposed location for the project is within one kilometer of approximately 34,000 current and future residents, one hospital, twelve schools and two long-term care homes.
The Halton Municipalities and Conservation Halton presented expert reports on over 20 technical disciplines to the Panel at the public hearing in July that identified many concerns with this proposed project and its impacts on the Halton community. The Panel did not address all of the Halton Municipalities’ concerns. Importantly, the Panel did not consider the impact of the large number of trucks on traffic congestion across all of Halton.
“This is the wrong location for the proposed truck-rail hub and it is not justified in these circumstances. The answer for the federal government is clear— don’t approve this project,” said Milton Mayor Gord Krantz. “I stand firmly with Chair Carr and the Mayors of Burlington, Halton Hills and Oakville to implore the Federal Government to refuse federal approval of CN’s proposed Milton Logistics Hub.”
Concerned residents are encouraged to contact their MPs and MPPs to make their voices heard and join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #sayNO2CNhub. A decision by the federal government is expected in June 2020. For more information about CN’s proposal and the Halton Municipalities’ position on this project, please visit halton.ca/cn.
The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 580,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; paramedic services; waste management; public health; social assistance; children’s and seniors’ services; housing services; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, call 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at halton.ca.