December 3, 2025

Meeting Summary

Welcome and Introductions

• E. Thome opened the meeting and welcomed members joining virtually, confirming the recording is for committee reference only.

• P. Kousoulas introduced herself as Wilfrid Laurier University’s new representative, replacing Danielle Havelka. She noted the Milton campus currently operates at 555 Industrial Drive, supports day-to-day campus operations, and serves just under 200 students across Business Technology Management, Psychology, and Computer Science, with Software Engineering launching next year.

• Participants provided brief introductions, including A. Ehrlick, who welcomed P. Kousoulas and noted the committee benefits from a wide range of perspectives.

• D. Reynolds advised he would need to leave early due to travel, with M. Loureiro and R. Chiu remaining available for questions.

 

Approval of Agenda

• T. Flynn called for a motion to approve the agenda as circulated, and the motion was moved and seconded and approved.

• T. Flynn noted G. Nair was expected to join around 7:30 p.m., and the committee would work through administrative items while waiting.

 

Approval of October 2025 Meeting Summary

• E. Thome called for a motion to approve the October 1, 2025, meeting summary, and it was moved by N. Mott and seconded by K. Voisin and approved as circulated.

• E. Thome confirmed the approved summary would be posted to the committee website.

 

Decision Tracker Review

• E. Thome reviewed open items and noted the CCC’s request to receive a copy of the IAAC presentation from the previous meeting. IAAC has declined to provide that presentation.

• D. Reynolds confirmed IAAC has indicated CN can proceed with early salvage of the small white house, and CN is advancing a Heritage Impact Assessment through Stantec with a target of completion in early 2026, followed by consultation and agency sign-offs to ensure compliance with conditions.

• E. Thome noted the early salvage approach was driven by deterioration concerns and advice that salvage should proceed sooner rather than later.

• D. Reynolds confirmed CN has received the feasibility study for the red brick house on Tremaine Road, CN is reviewing it internally, and CN expects to share materials with the committee in early 2026.

• T. Flynn reported he spoke with Town of Milton communications staff and invited them to observe the committee, noting the Town is considering the request and that Town participation may support subsequent Region participation.

• D. Reynolds advised CN’s myth-busting outreach campaign has gained traction, is driving increased traffic to the website, and is supporting opportunities to clarify misconceptions.

• T. Flynn noted the ads are geotargeted, so they generally only appear to Milton-based IP addresses.

• M. Loureiro reported permanent sign installation is targeted by year-end, with posts delivered to site, drilling challenges addressed through additional equipment, framing and mounting planned around December 10, and sign printing underway, with CN intending to circulate photos when installed.

• E. Thome confirmed the sign was intentionally delayed until after the lawsuits concluded and that it will initially read “future home,” with the infrastructure and location intended to be permanent.

• E. Thome noted the community garden idea and site opening concept remain under consideration and can be revisited when timing is appropriate.

• E. Thome noted the committee’s request for information on oil-grit separators will be followed up after the meeting, along with other technical information where available.

• R. Chiu reported CN is continuing the exhaust-emissions pilot at Taschereau Yard, results are promising, and CN expects to submit a plan to regulators by Q2 2026 as required by conditions.

• E. Thome noted other items remain in view for future meetings, including coordination on air-brake noise, a future demonstration of the driver app once it is closer to implementation, feedback from Indigenous Nations on native plant questions, and multilingual communications for truck drivers closer to operations.

 

CN Intermodal Operations Update

• G. Nair, Vice President, Intermodal and Automotive, CN, provided a broad overview of CN’s intermodal operations and current macroeconomic conditions, including tariff impacts, labour disruptions, and supply-chain volatility, and he positioned Milton as strategically important to improving inland capacity and reducing port congestion risks.

• G. Nair noted Milton is expected to function as an international terminal and described how terminal design influences operational efficiency, including reduced switching and a “turn and burn” approach when trains can be handled without being broken into multiple segments.

• Participant asked how CN can expand and still achieve sustainability goals, expressing concern that broader national deals may trade off environmental priorities.

• G. Nair responded that environmental protection and infrastructure delivery must be balanced, noting that assessment tools and technologies have improved and can support faster, smarter decision-making without disregarding environmental impacts.

• D. Reynolds added that Milton supports a more sustainable way to move goods, and CN continues to share lessons learned with federal partners on improving process efficiency while maintaining comprehensive review.

• Participant noted that reduced federal capacity could slow reviews even if processes are improved, and D. Reynolds acknowledged resourcing levels affect review ability.

• E. Thome asked what the committee should expect as the project transitions from construction into operations and what has worked well elsewhere.

• G. Nair responded that Milton is a greenfield design and is intended to operate more efficiently than constrained brownfield sites, including long gate entry capacity to avoid public-road spillover, and he noted CN is testing fully electric terminal equipment, including an electric crane, as part of broader sustainability initiatives.

• Participant (referencing a prior Brampton tour) asked whether Milton will have large numbers of trucks and trailers staged in adjacent fields.

• G. Nair responded that Brampton has evolved, that a shift to a grounded operation reduces the need for shunt trucks and staging, and that Milton will be a grounded operation from the outset, which should reduce internal truck movements and visible staging pressures.

• G. Nair thanked the committee and noted his personal connection as a Milton resident with family in the community before departing the meeting.

 

Project Update

• R. Chiu reported that Lower Baseline work is nearing completion, including grading and removal of abandoned track ties, and no additional track work is planned for the remainder of the year, with further track work resuming in 2026.

• R. Chiu reported Britannia access road bridge work is largely complete, with asphalt paving and waterproofing underway and restoration measures such as seeding and matting in place.

• R. Chiu reported ongoing grading and excavation work across the terminal area, including drainage and work pad preparation, with erosion and sediment controls applied as work advances.

• R. Chiu reported Old Indian Creek Valley work included installation and relocation of a coffer dam, supported by wildlife sweeps and fish salvage due to seasonal conditions, plus slope seeding to manage sediment risk during snowmelt and rain events.

 

Britannia Intersection

• D. Reynolds reported the Britannia intersection is effectively complete from a civil perspective, including paving and line painting, with traffic signals being the remaining component.

• M. Loureiro reported design changes requested by Halton Region required pole modifications and contributed to schedule impacts, and CN expects to meet on site with the Region around December 12 to 15, with signal activation expected approximately a week afterward.

• Participant asked whether signal timing assumptions will account for truck turning movements and whether the design reflects current traffic volumes.

• D. Reynolds responded that signal operation is based on the traffic study assumptions and includes detection, meaning signals activate when vehicles are present, and the Region’s data remains the underlying basis.

• Participant asked whether the access road will function as a way into the construction site.

• M. Loureiro confirmed it will be used for construction access once signals are active and noted a gate will be installed and maintained to prevent public access.

 

Phase 3 Bidding and Contractors

• M. Loureiro reported Phase 3 tendering is underway, noting it is the final major package before operations and includes the work pad and administrative buildings, with strong bidder interest reflected by approximately 17 to 18 total bidders across civil and building scopes.

 

Committee Business Heritage Committee Update

• E. Thome reiterated that IAAC has confirmed CN can proceed with early salvage of the small white house, and CN is advancing the Heritage Impact Assessment and agency consultation process to ensure compliance with conditions.

• E. Thome noted N. Mott will reconnect with the salvage company that previously expressed interest to align on the updated timeline.

• D. Reynolds reported CN has received the feasibility study for the red brick house, is reviewing it internally, and expects to share information with the committee in early 2026, with the study expanded to consider both residential and commercial options.

 

Signage and Community Outreach

• M. Loureiro reported the permanent sign installation is progressing, with posts delivered and installation work ongoing, framing and mounting planned, and sign printing underway, with CN intending to circulate photos after installation. Photo of the sign design was shared during the meeting.

• E. Thome noted that CN’s myth-busting campaign is active and locally targeted, and members discussed the importance of keeping communications factual and transparent, particularly as the project moves through construction toward operations.

 

Committee Member Reports

• Participant noted community interest in visible progress and signage, and supported continued clear updates as construction advances.

• Participant observed traffic flow near Britannia has been smooth despite ongoing work and lane adjustments.

• Participant emphasized residents continue to seek assurance about compliance monitoring and transparency and supported ongoing information-sharing through the committee and website.

• Participant supported continued communication on sustainability measures, including pollinator habitat, native plantings, and electrification where feasible.

• Participant suggested engaging local students and youth organizations through future tours and education-oriented activities as opportunities arise.

 

Website Update and Enhancements

• T. Flynn provided an update on CCC website organization and encouraged members to share the site as a central place for meeting summaries and committee materials.

 

Parking Lot Questions, Issues, and Other Business

• E. Thome noted CN will continue sharing environmental monitoring and follow-up program information through committee channels and newsletters, including fish-related updates where available, and no additional parking-lot issues were raised.

 

Next Meeting

• E. Thome confirmed the next meeting will take place in early February 2026 and noted the co-facilitators plan to schedule short one-on-one check-ins during the week of January 12 to gather feedback on meeting format, timing, and what members want to see more of.

 

Adjournment

• T. Flynn thanked members for their participation and confirmed next steps before closing the meeting.