Statement regarding the CN Intermodal Hub

Dear Neighbours, 

On December 21st 2020, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) posted a notice on its website, indicating that the time limit for a decision on CN's proposal for a truck-rail hub in Milton was extended by 30 days. This means that government has until January 21st, Thursday of this week, to either reject or approve this application, or once again extend the deadline. I am reaching out to you today to ensure that you know how diligently I have advocated against this location - steadfastly recommending that this application be rejected. 

While I've been active on many issues over my relatively short time in office, this issue has been at the top of my priority list since my election in 2019. COVID-19 has taken up much of our time and energy here in Milton and across the country, but I've remained engaged locally in many conversations on this facility with constituents, town and regional staff as well as my fellow elected officials. What is clear, is that every elected official in our area and the vast majority of our neighbours are united in our opposition of the location for this industrial project. I helped to convene a Mayors visit to Ottawa early last year to bring Halton's voice to Ottawa. The four Halton Mayors and I took park in an official press conference and met with various MPs and Ministers to share our concerns. 

The proposed location of the CN Intermodal hub puts in peril our collective health, safety, future prosperity and the integrity of our local environment. Throughout my time in Ottawa, I've continued my advocacy in meetings with all members of cabinet, while more frequently with the Ministers of Environment and Climate Change and Transport. One of my first meetings in Ottawa was with Sean Finn, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services and Chief Legal Office of CN. We discussed the project, the alternatives, and I raised the hazardous impact in will have on our neighbourhoods, the 1600 trucks that will drive past our homes, schools and hospitals. I raised 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. I have continually raised the concerns which I share with the Region of Halton, that this project, the emissions and the added traffic will negatively impact our collective health, safety and well-being. In August, I sponsored a petition written to the government by Milton's Stacey Newman. The petition had over 4000 signatures. 

CN's Intermodal hubs are an important part of our economy. We rely on them to deliver goods to our stores and fulfill online purchases to our doorsteps. These are large, industrial operations that rely on heavy truck traffic and emit harmful pollutants. I've made multiple visits to the Brampton Intermodal Terminal so that when I discuss this project with my colleagues, I can be clear - when they are 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 - which is not at all an appropriate location. The truck traffic that the CN Intermodal would add to our roads, past our schools, hospitals, neighbourhoods, the velodrome and a future post-secondary campus will undoubtedly have a negative impact on our health and safety. 

I want to thank my neighbours for their continued advocacy, and all of my colleagues for their attention, energy and time with respect to this important topic. I truly feel that our collective voice has been heard loud and clear in Ottawa. 

We did all of that together, as a unified community - and regardless of which direction this goes, we can all be proud that we stood up for what is right. 

When I lined up to race at the Olympics I always had to be confident that I did everything I could to prepare. I feel that way now, about our collective effort in opposing this project. We've left no stone unturned and did everything within our power to stand up for our community. 

I also want you to know that this isn't the finish line for this project. If it's rejected, CN will fight the decision. If it's approved, then along with the Town of Milton and Region of Halton, we will continue to fight it. If it's extended, then my work of ensuring your voice is heard, continues. 

At the end of the day, I want you to be sure of one thing. Whatever the decision is this week - I will continue to stand with you, my neighbours. I'll continue to bring your voice to Ottawa to make our community a better place for everyone, and I always will. 

Adam