The Environment: A Top Priority

The proposed Milton Logistics Hub is in the final stages of a federal environmental assessment and regulatory review process.

On January 27, 2020, the independent joint Review Panel submitted its report to the federal Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. Among its findings, the Review Panel confirmed that:

• shifting the long-haul transportation of intermodal goods from road to railway, with the Project, has the potential to reduce GHGs and other air emissions at a regional or greater level;
• the selection of the south Milton site was supported by reasonable criteria and alternative locations were properly considered;
• direct Project effects are relatively small, and need to be understood in the context of the rapidly urbanizing and developing area of Milton and the GTHA, which has been and continues to be affected by past development and planned regional growth;
• CN is well placed to exert a positive influence over those industries that would utilize the Project; and
• excellence and innovation in some of the mitigation could serve as a helpful example to other industry and land developers in the area, further helping to address regional cumulative effect.

The Review Panel’s full report and executive summary, as well as more information regarding the environmental assessment process, are available at iaac-aeic.gc.ca, Reference Number: 80100.

CN takes the protection of the environment and safety of surrounding communities very seriously, and we have undertaken a number of technical studies to understand the potential effects of the project so that they can be mitigated.

Some examples of what we will do to help protect and enhance the environment include:

• Enhance vegetation along Indian Creek and through Tributary A realignments, to increase vegetation diversity, increase shade to watercourses, provide bank stability, and improve water quality and fish habitat.
• Off-set habitat loss to Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark by creating improved offsite habitat in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada, a highly respected non-profit environmental organization.
• Improve flood control along Tremaine Road through improved floodplain design.