City Passes A Resolution to CN Rail Addressing Community Impacts from CN’s Manitoba Yard

Brockville – Brockville City council passed a resolution at Tuesday night’s council meeting to CN Rail, addressing community impacts from CN’s Manitoba Yard, including complaints from city residents in the area regarding severe diesel fumes, creosote odours, prolonged idling, and vibrations.

In a statement from CN Rail they apologized for the temporary storage inconvenience, noting that tie replacement operations meet federal requirements. However, in previous communications, the railway argued that track maintenance is essential and “some level of impact… should reasonably be expected by nearby residents”.

CN Rail has responded to the City of Brockville’s concerns regarding the Manitoba Rail Yard by relocating the stockpiled, creosote-treated railway ties away from residential properties. The creosote-treated railway tie is expected to be removed by the end of May.

They are also going to hire a consultant to address the strong odours, in compliance with a provincial order from the Ministry of the Environment

The resolution from city council stated the following:

• City Council calls upon CN Rail, Transport Canada, and the Government of Canada to work collaboratively with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) in response to orders issued and to find a reasonable solution that considers impacts to the affected residents of the City of Brockville; and
• City Council further requests that CN Rail establish a permanent community liaison process to ensure ongoing communication, transparency, and timely resolution of resident concerns related to this and other future issues and challenges; and
• City Council further urges upon CN Rail, the Government of Canada and Transport Canada to work collaboratively with the City of Brockville to examine long term land use compatibility and operational mitigation strategies for the Manitoba Rail Yard, including the exploration of operational alternatives or relocation opportunities, where feasible; and
• City Council directs that this resolution be forwarded to CN Rail, Transport Canada, the Minister of Transport, the MECP, MP Michael Barrett, MPP Steve Clark and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.