2021
January 19, 2021 (Council presentations)
- Pitt Meadows Rail Yard Expansion Resident Group - Ms. Heather Emmett introduces new community organization, STOPCPRAIL, and their desire to work with Council on the opposition of the CP Logistics Park proposed development.
- Property Tax Classification - CP Rail and Golden Ears Business Park - Cheryl Harding, Director of Finance, provides an overview of the BC Assessment property classification system as it relates to CP lands
January 20, 2021 (media release) - City Opposes Current Property Tax Rate for Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and Initiates Review .
January 26, 2021 - Why Council Cannot Just Say “No” to All Canadian Pacific (CP) Rail Projects?
February 16, 2021 – Letter to CP Re: Re: CP Logistics Park: Vancouver – City of Pitt Meadows Assessment of Comparative Site Evaluation - Mayor Bill Dingwall sent a letter to CP with Council’s concerns about CP’s Comparative Site Analysis and requested that the location be re-evaluated. The City is confident that when all necessary factors are considered adequately, the data will show that CP’s proposed location is not a desirable location for the Logistics Park
February 23, 2021 - (Council presentation) - CP Logistics Park: Vancouver - City of Pitt Meadows Assessment of Comparative Site Evaluation - Director of Engineering & Operations provides an overview of the draft letter and detailed appendix outlining the City's analysis of CP's Comparative Site Evaluation of the CP Logistics Park
March 5, 2021 - Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) Joins City in Opposing the CP Logistics Park - ALC, Chair Jennifer Dyson sent a letter of opposition to the CP regarding the proposed CP Logistics Park in Pitt Meadows. This position clearly aligns with the City’s and Council’s ongoing opposition.
March 9, 2021 - (Council presentation) - CAO presents City strategies for opposition to the CP Logistics Park proposed development.
June 1, 2021 - CP Public Engagement Round 2
CP's second round of engagement took place June 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021. Information was provided about and feedback sought on the ongoing technical and environmental studies for the proposed project, including early consideration of potential mitigation approaches. Learn more: vancouverlogisticspark.ca/consultation-and-engagement.
July 29, 2021 - Letter to CP Re: CP Logistics Park: Vancouver – City of Pitt Meadows Assessment of the Draft Terms of Reference (“TOR”) - The City of Pitt Meadows provided a written submission to CP outlining the errors, omissions, and lack of clarity for many components contained within their Draft Terms of Reference documentation.
August 13, 2021 - Submission to the Impact Assessment Agency (IAA) of Canada on the CP Logistics Park Expansion
The City of Pitt Meadows provided a written submission to the Impact Assessment Agency (IAA) of Canada opposing the proposed CP Logistics Park expansion following a written request made by the Katzie First Nation for a federal impact assessment. IAA is reviewing concerns about potential adverse impacts that are of federal jurisdiction (e.g. fisheries and habitat, migratory birds, environment and air quality) in relation to the proposed project.
November 4, 2021 - Provincial Minister Denies Request to Explore Tax Reclassification of Rail Yards
The City received a letter from Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance advising that the province has no plans to explore reclassification with respect to Railway and Industrial Operations. A response requesting the Minister to reconsider and to review the fair taxation in industrial operations was sent on November 17, 2021.
- Read the Mayor’s response letter, which was discussed at Council on November 23, 2021.
- Read the Minister's follow-up response letter, dated January 12, 2022, which was discussed at Council on January 25, 2022.
November 4, 2021 - Federal Minister Denies Request to Designate CP Logistics Park as Reviewable Under the Impact Assessment Act
The City of Pitt Meadows received notification from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada that Steven Guilbeault, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has designated the CP Logistics Park Expansion Project as not reviewable under the Impact Assessment Act. The City disagrees with Minister Guilbeault's determination and is committed to continuing to advocate against the CP Logistics Park Expansion. Read the full media relase here.
November 23, 2021 - Air Quality Study of Train Emissions
Envirochem Services Inc., shared their initial analysis of the current and projected diesel emissions from Canadian Pacific’s (CP) railway operations in Pitt Meadows. Learn more here.
November 30, 2021 - City Response to Determination Regarding Request for Designation Under the Impact Assessment Act
A response letter was sent to the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, outlining the City's disappointment with their recent decision to not designate the CP Logistics Park under the Impact Assessment Act.
2020
December 2020 - CP Fails to Provide Meaningful and Transparent Engagement
On November 24, CP informed Mayor Dingwall, by phone, of their decision to issue a press release on December 2 and to begin a community engagement period (December 2 to January 15, 2021) in relation to the CP Logistics Park. This tight timeframe does not allow for meaningful and transparent engagement. It fails to provide Council or the community with adequate opportunities to become properly informed on this very sensitive issue.
December 2, 2020 – CP Public Engagement Part 1
CP’s engagement period is ran from December 2, 2020 to January 15, 2021. To listen to an audio recording of the Virtual Open House that took place on January 13, 2021 engagement, please click on the link www.pittmeadowsrailyardexpansion.com/public-engagement and then click "January 13, 2021 Audio of Public Presentation.
December 3, 2020 (media release) - Council Opposed to CP’s Proposed Expansion of Intermodal Facility
December 17, 2020 (media release) - CP Clarifies Timing and Nature of Consultation with Full City Council and CAO as of December 1, 2020.