PITT MEADOWS, BC – Yesterday, 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 Minister’s decision is extremely disappointing considering the numerous adverse environmental, safety, health, community, agricultural, and infrastructure impacts associated with the CP Logistics Industrial Park Expansion project,” says Mayor Bill Dingwall. “Despite this devastating news, the City will continue to voice its strong opposition to CP, the Canadian Transportation Agency and other agencies in keeping with the best interests of our community.”
The City disagrees with Minister Guilbeault's determination, as there were numerous reasons to justify designating the Logistics Park as a reviewable project, including:
- safety concerns arising from the transportation and storage of high-hazard commodities;
- impacts on fish and fish habitat, wildlife, migratory birds, and the Katzie Slough;
- removal of valuable agricultural land; and
- noise and air pollution associated with the operation of the Logistics Park, including the generation of 750 truck trips per day.
More details about the City’s opposition are described in detail in the City’s written submission provided to the Impact Assessment Agency (IAA) of Canada and the Minister.
“Despite the unfavourable decision, the City is committed to continue to advocate against the CP Logistics Park Expansion,” says Chief Administrative Officer Mark Roberts. “The City will:
- proactively engage throughout the Canadian Transportation Agency’s review process of CP's application, including detailing the overwhelming drawbacks associated with the Logistics Park to the local and regional environment, watercourses, wildlife, fish, agriculture, infrastructure, quality of life, and other areas;
- express at a federal level the overwhelming drawbacks and adverse impacts associated with the Logistics Park including Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada;
- encourage feedback and engagement from local, regional and provincial municipalities, ministries and agencies;
- review CP's project documentation in detail and provide feedback, with federal agencies and ministries copied;
- conduct third party reviews of CP's Environmental Effects Evaluation, including agrology, transportation, drainage, hydrogeology, noise, vibration, and various environmental components; and
- encourage feedback during CP's engagement process and the Canadian Transportation Agency’s public comment process.”
Links:
Impact Assessment Agency Decision
Impact Agency Analysis
Learn more:
pittmeadows.ca/nocplogisticspark