Milton Is Opposed to the Proposed Location for the CN Intermodal

You were clear to me at your doorstep, and I’ve been clear in my advocacy on your behalf – CN’s proposed location for their intermodal facility is not welcome in Milton.

Since becoming your Member of Parliament, I’ve been determined to ensure that your voices on this issue are heard. The following details some of that work: 

1. Local Advocacy – I’ve continued to hear from my neighbours, but I’ve also had multiple opportunities to discuss this important issue with my fellow elected officials, Town and Regional Councillors and the Mayors of Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills and indeed Mayor Gordon Krantz and Chair of Halton Gary Carr. I’ve met separately with Staff from the Region of Halton and the Town of Milton. What is infinitely clear is that every elected official in our area is united in our opposition of the local for this industrial project.

2. Mayors visit to Ottawa – In early March I helped to organize a Mayors visit to Ottawa to bring Halton’s voice to Ottawa. The four Halton Mayors and I took part in an official press conference and met with with various MPs and Ministers after question period in the lobby of House of Commons, and in their Hill Offices. We shared your concerns and presented the facts broadly.

3. Advocacy in Ottawa – In my meetings with various Members of Cabinet, but most notably the Minister of Transportation, Marc Garneau and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jonathan Wilkinson, I shared the concerns that we all have. That this location puts in peril our collective health, safety, future prosperity and the integrity of our local environment.

4. Recognition from the Prime Minister – Members of the opposition, most notably Michael Chong, the MP from our neighbouring riding to the north are also opposed to the location. When pressed in Question Period, our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was clear that I have raised your voice to him and our colleagues throughout my time in office.

 
 

5. Meeting with CN – I met with Sean Finn, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services and Chief Legal Officer of CN. In my office in Ottawa, we discussed the project, alternatives and I raised the hazardous impact it will have on our neighbourhoods. I spoke to the 1600 trucks that will drive past our homes, schools and hospitals. I spoke to the high economic and ecological value of the land, and I raised the obvious issue that industrial projects belong in industrial areas, not residential ones. Our meeting was cordial and polite.

6. Petition to Parliament - In August, I sponsored a petition written to the government by Milton’s Stacey Newman. The petition already has over 4000 signatures. Although it is now closed, you can read the petition here. The petition has been certified.

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CN’s Intermodal hubs are an integral part of our economy. We rely on them to deliver goods to our stores and markets and fulfill orders and online purchases to our doorsteps. These are large, industrial operations that rely on heavy truck traffic and emit harmful pollutants. When they’re built in appropriate locations, impacts on human health, safety and the environment can be mitigated. Milton is a growing, vibrant, residential community with a bright future – not an appropriate location. The truck traffic that the CN Intermodal would add to our roads, past our schools, hospitals, neighbourhoods, velodrome and bike lanes will undoubtedly have a negative impact on our physical health and safety.

There is still a lot of work to do, but together as a unified community, we have made and will continue to make our collective voice heard on this important local issue. I wish to thank my neighbours for their continued advocacy, and all my colleagues for their attention and time with respect to this important topic.

Adam van Koeverden