Feds approval of CN’s Milton project has local municipalities seeking legal options

Halton Regional municipalities say they are going to review their legal options after the federal government gave its approval to CN’s Milton “truck-rail-hub” project.

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) announced will allow CN’s application for railway line approval as parts of its proposed Milton intermodal facility.

“We are extremely disappointed (in) the CTA’s decision,” said 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 Halton Municipalities and Conservation Halton will review the options to challenge the CTA’s decision under both federal and provincial laws.

“I want to assure the residents of Milton that we are pursuing every avenue available to us to continue to the fight,” said Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz.

“We have said since Day 1 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.”

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The CTA’s decision follows the one made by the federal government back on January 21, 2021 to approve the CN Proposal.

This despite findings from an environmental assessment review panel that said the project will cause significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be mitigated, including on air quality and human health.

The panel also found the project required extensive mitigation to avoid causing an additional 25 significant effects, including effects on noise, ground and surface water, wetlands, endangered species, cultural heritage, and archaeology.

CN continues to claim that it is exempt from all municipal and provincial laws, including those dealing with adverse environmental effects requiring extensive mitigation.

Halton Municipalities and Conservation Halton resumed its 2018 Ontario court case in mid-April of this year to challenge this claim and demand that CN comply with laws that protect the health of residents and the environment.