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e-2731 (Transportation)

E-petition
Initiated by Stacey Newman from Milton, Ontario

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:
  • "Milton residents Affected by Intermodal Lines (R.A.I.L.)", "Milton says No", and the undersigned express our serious concern with the impact of the proposed Milton Logistics hub project by CN Rail and opposition to the proposed location in Milton, Ontario;
  • The findings from the Environmental Assessment Panel determined that CN’s proposed project will have significant adverse effects to human health that cannot be mitigated and will have devastating long-lasting impacts on residents;
  • Never before have significant adverse impacts on human health been found in previous panel reviews and no Federal Government has ever concluded that adverse effects on human health are justified in order to advance a project;
  • The panel found that the changes to air quality as a result of CN’s proposed project include an increase in three no-threshold pollutants, which are unsafe at any level;
  • Within 1 km of the proposed site there are 34,000 residents, one hospital, 12 schools, and two long-term care facilities;
  • Without direct highway access, the impact of up to 1,600 truck trips per day, 24 hours per day, seven days per week and 365 days per year would negatively affect the environment, the health and safety of residents, local roads and main commuter routes, cause congestion, toxic pollution, dust and particulates and safety issues; and
  • The health and safety of Halton residents should matter most.
We, the undersigned, residents of the Regional Municipality of Halton, call upon the Government of Canada to refuse the approval of the proposed CN Logistics Hub in Milton.

Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSON

The proposed Milton Logistics Hub Project is undergoing an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. On July 20, 2015, the Minister of Environment referred the environmental assessment to an independent review panel after considering its potential to cause significant adverse environmental effects, and concerns expressed by the public and Indigenous groups in relation to these effects.

The Review Panel submitted its report on January 27, 2020. The panel report is available to the public at the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.

The Project has undergone a rigorous environmental assessment, based on scientific evidence, that takes into account the potential impacts of the Project on local communities and Indigenous Peoples.

On September 21, 2020, a notice was posted to the Registry that the Governor in Council had extended the time limit for the issuance of the Decision Statement by 90 days. The new date for issuing the decision statement is no later than December 22, 2020.

The Government of Canada recognizes the economic importance of this project and the real concerns expressed by the local community and the Regional Municipality of Halton. The Government of Canada will consider the Review Panel Report and will make a decision on the project by December 22, 2020.

Over 300 legally-binding conditions have been developed and subject to public consultation through the assessment process. These proposed conditions would protect the environment and ensure ongoing community engagement, including mitigation measures and follow-up program requirements with which the proponent must comply throughout the life of the project. These proposed conditions would mitigate effects on air quality, groundwater and surface water, migratory birds, species at risk, fish and fish habitat, human health, the use of lands and resources by Indigenous Peoples, and physical and cultural heritage.

Should the Project be approved under CEAA 2012, the Canadian Transportation Agency would be required to make a decision under the Canada Transportation Act.

 

 

 

Open for signature
July 17, 2020, at 12:17 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
August 16, 2020, at 12:17 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Adam van Koeverden (Milton)
October 19, 2020 (Petition No. 432-00113)
Government response tabled
December 2, 2020
Photo - Adam van Koeverden
Milton
Liberal Caucus
Ontario