The Canadian National Railway Company (CN) proposed to create a $250-million logistics hub next to its main line in Milton. Since the start of the proposal in 2015, our goal has been to make certain community interests and plans for the community are heard, and the Town, Halton Region, and the other Halton municipalities have been opposed to the project as a result of the significant adverse effects it will cause to human health and the environment.

The location for the project is within one kilometre of approximately 34,000 current and future residents, one hospital, twelve schools and two long-term care homes, and the facility will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week—resulting in at least 1,600 new trips to and from the facility each day by heavy-duty container trucks. 

Project status

Update Sept. 12, 2022

  • On September 9, 2022, the Halton Municipalities and Conservation Halton (the “Halton Municipalities”) filed an appeal of the August 10, 2022 decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in a case between the Halton Municipalities and CN related to CN’s proposed truck-rail hub in Milton.

  • The Court decision left it to the Halton Municipalities and Conservation Halton to take the necessary steps to enforce the more than 65 local and provincial laws that apply to this proposed hub instead of supporting a more comprehensive and effective approach through Ontario’s planning system.

  • The Halton Municipalities and Conservation Halton strongly disagree with this decision and are bringing this appeal forward to seek to correct several key errors, including fundamental mistakes about Ontario’s land use planning system that should concern all municipalities and the Province.

Aug. 12, 2022

  • On August 10, 2022, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice released its decision in a case between the Halton Municipalities and Conservation Halton (the “Halton Municipalities”) and CN related to CN’s proposed Intermodal facility in Milton.

  • The Court decision flatly rejected CN’s claim that as a federally regulated rail project, it was immune from over 65 provincial and local laws designed to protect people and the environment from adverse and harmful impacts that would be caused by the facility. While the decision did not grant the Halton Municipalities request for an immediate injunction, it did leave open the door for future activity by the Halton Municipalities to continue to enforce their laws in the public interest.

  • The Halton Municipalities will continue to review the Ontario Superior Court decision and consider its options. In addition, the Halton Municipalities are continuing its litigation in the Federal Courts to review decisions by the Canadian Transportation Agency, the Federal Minister and Cabinet to approve federal aspects of the CN Project.

May 25, 2022

  • The Town of Milton, Halton Region, and Conservation Halton are aware of the activity happening at the CN site and are monitoring the CN activity on a regular basis.
  • CN has no approval from any local or regional authority to carry out any activity at its site and we have communicated to CN to reiterate that any current activity on site is at CN’s risk.
  • A court hearing is scheduled to begin May 30, 2022, in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to clarify the constitutional powers of the Town of Milton, Halton Region, and Conservation Halton over CN’s current activities.
  • The Town of Milton has been clear that CN should not be able to bypass our municipal laws, which are in place to protect the health and well-being of those who will be most affected by the project.

Jan. 21, 2021

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change issued the Environmental Assessment Decision Statement to the proponent on Jan. 21, 2021, indicating determined that the Milton Logistics Hub Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects referred to in subsection 5(1) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. A number of conditions are included in the Decision Statement that CN must comply with. 

News Release - Federal Cabinet’s Approval of CN Truck-Rail Hub Puts Milton Residents at Risk (Jan. 22, 2021)

Statement from MP van Koeverden - Our CN Fight Continues (Jan. 21, 2021)

The Town is extremely disappointed that the Federal Government has ignored risks to the health and safety of Halton residents first and approved the CN truck-rail hub in Milton.

On Feb. 19, 2021, Halton Region Council commenced an application at the Federal Court of Canada for a judicial review of federal decisions by the Minister and Cabinet resulting in federal approval of the CN truck-rail hub in Milton. Halton Region Council includes Mayor Gordon Krantz and four Milton Regional Councillors.

News Release - Halton Regional Council to fight federal approval of the CN truck-rail hub in Milton (Feb. 19, 2021)

On April 15, 2021, the Halton municipalities and Conservation Halton resumed their 2018 Ontario court case against the proposed truck-rail hub to ensure that CN complies with the laws that protect the health of residents and the environment.

News Release - Halton Municipalities are going to court in Ontario to demand CN compliance with laws (April 16, 2021)

On Nov. 22, 2021, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) released its decision to approve CN’s application for railway line approval as part of CN’s proposed Milton intermodal facility. 

The decision is included below:

While this Federal decision is essential for CN to move forward with the Project in Milton, it fails to address the serious concerns of the Halton Municipalities, Conservation Halton and 34,000 residents living near the CN lands in Milton regarding the Project’s significant adverse environmental effects – impacts confirmed by the Federal Government’s own environmental assessment review panel. The Halton Municipalities and Conservation Halton are reviewing their legal options to challenge the CTA’s decision under federal and provincial laws.

News Release - Halton Municipalities reviewing legal options following Canadian Transportation Agency decision regarding CN’s Milton Project (Nov. 25, 2021)

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Joint Review Panel completed its assessment and submitted the Environmental Assessment Report to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change where the Decision Statement was extended on two occasions until a final decision on Jan. 21, 2021. 

  • On Sept. 21, 2020, the Governor in Council extended the time limit for the Decision Statement by 90 days.
  • On Dec. 21, 2020, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada posted a notice on its website, indicating that the Governor in Council has extended the time limit for a decision on CN’s proposal for a truck-rail hub in Milton by 30 days. For more information, read the news release.

Concerns

While the site is located in Milton, there are impacts to all Halton municipalities, which include:

  • City of Burlington
  • Town of Halton Hills
  • Town of Oakville
  • Town of Milton

On Jan. 13, 2021, the Halton Municipalities sent a letter to the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change urging Federal Cabinet to include a recent ruling in the UK in their assessment of CN’s proposed truck-rail hub and not approve this project. For more information, read the full news release.

The Town of Milton, all Halton municipalities and Halton Region, oppose this project. Read the most recent Statement from Halton Regional Chair and Halton Mayors on the CN Truck-Rail Hub (Dec. 4, 2020).

The Halton Municipalities identified non-rail aspects of the project that have raised concerns in the community.

Traffic congestion
As the hub will run 24 hours a day and seven days a week, there would be 1,600 truck trips to and from the site each day. This would lead to more traffic on roads, which would increase as the site’s capacity grows. This traffic congestion poses a risk to motorist, cyclist and pedestrian safety.

Health and safety
The site is next to existing and planned residential areas. The site would generate noise, air and light pollution. This would impact the health and safety of around 34,000 residents, 12 schools, two long-term care homes and a hospital, which are within a kilometre of the site.

Environment
The site’s emissions, discharge of storm water, use of water and changes to the watercourse would impact our environment.

CEAA Review Panel

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Dr. Scott Streiner, Chair of the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), created a panel to review CN’s proposal on December 6, 2016.

 The Minister has appointed:

  • Ms. Lesley Griffiths as panel Chair
  • Dr. Isobel Heathcote as a panel member
  • Mr. William McMurray as a panel member
Mr. McMurray is a member of the CTA and was assigned by the Chair to determine if the proposed rail construction should be approved under section 98 of the Canada Transportation Act.

Employment
The hub would result in less employment lands and fewer jobs in the community. There are 1,500 planned jobs for the area and the project would only provide 130 jobs.

Only the plans for the 400 acres are included in CN’s proposal. Depending on their planned use of the remaining 800 acres, the impact to the community could greatly increase.

Background Information

For a full list of records, visit the project page on the Impact Agency of Canada's website. 

Environmental Assessment

Facility
The logistics hub, which would be around 2900 m in length, would transfer cargo containers and move goods east towards the Greater Toronto Area and throughout North America. Once completed, it would be able to handle four trains per day and operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Location
The hub would be built on CN-owned land (400 acres) in the southwest urban area of Milton.

It would border:

  • Tremaine Road to the west
  • Britannia Road to the north
  • Lower Base Line to the south
  • Highway 25 to the east

Milton and Halton Region have concerns that the use of the land is not suitable; it does not align with Milton’s or Halton’s Official Plan or existing zoning.

Regulations and requirements

The Federal Government, the Canada Transportation Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act regulates and identifies requirements for the type and construction of railways.

Milton and Halton Region are ensuring that the proposed development is subject to a full regulatory review under the Planning Act and Provincial laws and regulations.

Environmental assessment
CN sent a description of the project on April 8, 2015, to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA). After receiving public comments, the CEAA issued a notice of decision that required the proposal to have an environmental assessment.

Formal responses and follow-up letter

The Municipalities issued formal responses to CN’s submission to the CEAA:

  • 1st Response (April 17, 2015)
  • 2nd Response (April 27, 2015)
  • 3rd Response (June 4, 2015)
  • 4th Response (June 19, 2015)
  • 5th Response (June 19, 2015)
  • 6th Response (June 30, 2015)

On July 3, 2015, Halton Region and the Town of Milton sent a follow-up letter to the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment.

Contact us if you’d like to request a copy of the responses or the follow-up letter.

Environmental Impact Statement
CN filed its Environmental Impact Statement on January 7, 2016.

Contact us if you’d like to view:

  • Public Comment Invited on Draft Review Panel Agreement (June 8, 2016)
  • CN: News release on Environmental Impact Statement (January 7, 2016)
  • CN: Environmental Impact Statement Executive Summary
  • Letter from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to CN (March 15, 2016)
  • CN: News release on the application to Canadian Transportation Agency for the Milton Logistics Hub (January 22, 2016)