August 7, 2025

Meeting Summary

Welcome and Introductions

• T. Flynn opened the meeting and noted that the group was smaller than usual due to last-minute cancellations.

• E. Thome confirmed that D. Reynolds was on vacation and that M. Loureiro and R. Wai Kei Chiu would be providing project updates.

• T. Flynn announced that E. Caldwell had been appointed to the committee as the representative from Conestoga College but had left her role however, she will continue to serve on the committee as a Milton resident.

 

Approval of Agenda

• T. Flynn called for a motion to approve the agenda as circulated. The motion was made by A. Ehrlick and seconded by K. Voisin, and it was approved with no changes.

 

Approval of June 2025 Meeting Summary

• T. Flynn called for a motion to approve the June on-site meeting summary. The motion was made by N. Mott and seconded by L. Chambers, and it was approved as circulated.

 

Committee Business Heritage Committee Update

• E. Thome proposed reconvening the Heritage Subcommittee on September 23 at 11:00 a.m. The brick heritage house at Tremaine Road was under a feasibility study for Transitional Housing, but the organization has chosen another property. CN will expand the study to include commercial uses.

• R. Wai Kei Chiu explained that CN has requested Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) approval to advance the Heritage Impact Assessment so salvage can occur sooner than the current three-year condition allows. Based on prior amendment experience, IAAC approval could take six months, followed by three to four months to complete the assessment. The request emphasizes urgency due to potential deterioration. The committee discussed possible public consultation requirements and the importance of salvaging materials before further decay.

 

Committee Member Reports

• E. Thome reminded members that this portion of the meeting was an opportunity to share feedback and observations from the organizations or community groups they represent, as well as any personal perspectives from recent interactions or site observations. She encouraged members to provide updates, identify concerns, and highlight ideas for the committee to consider.

• Participant will check with sales and marketing teams for community feedback, especially after signage is installed.

• Participant observed smooth traffic flow during Britannia Road lane closures; noted visible construction activity.

• Participant saw construction set-up; awaiting signage installation.

• Participant has driven the new underpass in both directions; observed Britannia Road signage.

• Participant will explore inviting Ontario Professional Planners Institute members to a future site tour; referenced a regional council discussion questioning $21 million spent opposing the project.

• Participant reported agricultural community support for the project due to expected transportation efficiencies; confirmed interest in timeline updates.

 

Q2 Report Comments

• E. Thome noted that the Q2 report had been circulated in advance. She said no edits were requested except for a correction to the reporting period dates, and the committee approved the report as final.

 

Decision Tracker Review

• E. Thome noted that the tracker had been circulated in advance and serves to monitor the status of items raised in previous meetings. She reviewed the following updates, with contributions from CN staff:

  • R. Wai Kei Chiu reported that CN has submitted a request to IAAC for an amendment to allow salvage of the heritage house sooner than the current three-year condition, supported by documentation from the Heritage Subcommittee. The feasibility report for potential Transitional Housing use is pending, and CN will expand the assessment to include commercial uses.

  • E. Thome said that CN and the co-facilitators will explore opportunities to create a garden in partnership with local environmental groups.

  • E. Thome noted that consideration is being given to inviting Ontario Professional Planners Institute members, youth, and other community representatives to join the committee.

  • E. Thome explained that CN is preparing a “mythbuster” campaign to address misinformation about the project, with updates to be provided at the next meeting.

  • E. Thome confirmed that CN will continue coordination with Halton Region to address concerns about noise from truck air brake use during night hours.

  • E. Thome said that CN is exploring multilingual handouts for drivers outlining best practices.

  • E. Thome added that a demonstration of the truck reservation/check-in app will be arranged closer to the start of operations, once the app is fully developed.

  • E. Thome shared that CN will extend an invitation to Indigenous Nations to participate in site opening ceremonies as they see fit.

  • E. Thome reported that CN will invite the project architect to present on environmental design features at an upcoming meeting.

  • R. Wai Kei Chiu said that CN will provide locations and quantities of oil grit separators on-site.

  • R. Wai Kei Chiu confirmed that environmental monitoring results, including fish species data, will be shared in future CCC newsletters.

  • M. Loureiro explained that engineering work for a permanent 10’ x 20’ sign at Britannia and

  • First Line is underway, with installation targeted for October 2025.

  • R. Wai Kei Chiu added that CN has reached out to Indigenous communities for plant lists that may be incorporated into site landscaping, and feedback is pending.

 

Legal Update

• E. Thome and T. Flynn reported that, following the May 8 Supreme Court decision not to hear an appeal, all legal avenues related to the project have now been exhausted. They said the focus will shift to inviting Halton Region and Town of Milton representatives, particularly from public works and community engagement, into the committee, either as members or observers, to ensure continued coordination as the project moves forward.

 

Project Update

• M. Loureiro provided an overview of the current construction schedule, noting that CN is targeting the third quarter of 2027 for full operations, with the possibility of a phased-in start. He said updates will be provided regularly as the schedule advances.

• M. Loureiro reported that the administrative building will be 84% solar-powered and that the landscape plan is in development and will be shared with the committee. He added that the project architect will present on the building design at the October meeting.

• M. Loureiro explained that Britannia Road lane closures will generally maintain one lane in each direction, with night work coordinated with Halton Region. He confirmed that the permanent site sign will be located at Britannia and First Line.

• R. Wai Kei Chiu reported on the IAAC site visit held on July 15, 2025, noting that no major compliance issues were identified.

• R. Wai Kei Chiu confirmed that preliminary results from fish species monitoring will be included in upcoming newsletters.

• R. Wai Kei Chiu added that a future agenda item will cover the University of Toronto and McGill emissions study once results are available.

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Next Meeting

• E. Thome confirmed that the next meeting will be held on October 1, 2025, as a site visit.

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Adjournment

• T. Flynn called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was made by N. Mott and seconded by K. Voisin, and it was approved unanimously.