PITT MEADOWS, BC – On Tuesday, December 1, Council was briefed, for the first time, by Canadian Pacific (CP) about their aspirations to expand the Vancouver Intermodal Facility (VIF) in Pitt Meadows. This proposed expansion will add a 100 acre CP Logistics Park adjacent to the VIF that will house an agricultural hub, auto lot as well as a transportation fuels and ethanol transload and rail facility.
“Council is strongly opposed to the expansion at VIF,” says Mayor Bill Dingwall. “We know that our community is weary and not supportive of further industrial development that is contradictory to our vision of being the Natural Place. We are extremely disappointed that CP waited until Tuesday afternoon to brief Council about their decision to begin community consultations next week. This is not meaningful nor transparent engagement and fails to provide Council or the community with adequate opportunities to become properly informed on this very sensitive issue. This industrial park will have large unsightly grain silos and fuel tanks that exacerbate public safety and environmental concerns. Not only is the site located in west Pitt Meadows on farmland, the Katzie Slough traverses through the middle of the industrial park, leading to a major pump station and this industrial park will create an unpleasant view when entering the community from the west.”
The Federal Government, the Canada Transportation Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act regulate and identify requirements for the type and construction of railways and facilities. The City understands the importance of national and international trade and the transportation of goods as a critical priority and societal necessity. Sadly however, given federal jurisdiction, the City has no decision-making role with the CP business proposal.
The proposed CP Logistics Park is separate from the Pitt Meadows Road and Rail Project. For the past three years, Council has worked collaboratively with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, CP and the Government of Canada to advance the $141 million project that includes an underpass at Harris Road, an overpass at Kennedy Road and associated yard and track expansion.
“Throughout the Pitt Meadows Road and Rail Project negotiations, never were there any discussions about an industrial park,” says Mayor Bill Dingwall. “Council continues to support the Road and Rail Project because increased rail volumes and associated impacts are inevitable and the City needs to be part of the solution rather than leaving it solely in the hands of CP, Transport Canada and the Transportation Act. The Road and Rail Project will enhance public safety, reduce traffic congestion and GHG emissions as well as improve commuter and emergency response times in our community. We remain committed to achieving enhanced noise and sight mitigation as well as advocating for compliance with federal health regulations.”
“We know that an increase of nearly one million people are expected to come to Metro Vancouver over the next 20 years and the need for national and international trade will translate into significantly increased train traffic,” says Chief Administrative Officer Mark Roberts. “Our goal is to mitigate imminent and increasingly negative impacts to our community.”
Everyone is strongly encouraged to provide feedback to CP about their proposed CP Logistics Park starting with the virtual town hall meetings next week. Sign up for the December 8 or December 12 virtual town hall or submit an online feedback form. Council is hoping the results of the community feedback will provide a strong and clear message to CP and their regulatory authorities that the Pitt Meadows community does not want this industrial park expansion in Pitt Meadows because together our voice is stronger.
In the best interests of our community, the City will share information as soon as it becomes available. Council will continue to look for opportunities to influence project decisions as this process unfolds.
Resources:
CP Logistics Park Discussion Guide
CP Logistics Park Website
Email: engage@cplogisticspark.ca
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For more information please contact:
Carolyn Baldridge
Manager of Communications & Community Engagement
City of Pitt Meadows
cbaldridge@pittmeadows.ca