Cando Contracting Ltd. Not Truthful
It’s been almost 2 years now since the joint Cando Contracting Ltd./CN Railway/Imperial Oil Ltd. rail yard was built in southwest Strathcona County just east of Edmonton.
As Railroaded has reported previously, numerous federal and Alberta laws, CN policies, Imperial Oil policies, Strathcona County guidelines, and Railway Association of Canada/Federation of Canadian Municipalities guidelines have been breached in the building and operation of this rail yard. We have contacted each of these companies, institutions and governments (some repeatedly), but unfortunately none has chosen to accept any responsibility for any of these breaches or offered any remedies. This Fact Sheet and this letter provide examples of federal legislation violations.
One of the more significant breaches is the proximity of the rail yard to the closest 2 homes – 68m and 163m. Rail yards are not supposed to be built less than 300m from any home. Another significant breach is the drainage of the area that has been altered. Rain and meltwater runoff that used to drain north directly into Mill Creek now drains significantly south into a farm dugout and then into 2 adjacent wildlife conservation areas. This has major potential impacts, considering the oil, grease and solvents that drip from the up to 225 petroleum tank cars in the rail yard. Runoff will carry these toxic products plus any future tank car spills directly into the dugout and wildlife conservation areas – Bretona ConservAction Area and Bretona Pond Buck-for-Wildlife Area. As well, this toxic material will drain into Mill Creek and ultimately into the North Saskatchewan River because we have been told there are no spill containment facilities or measures incorporated into the rail yard.
The facts do not support what Cando Contracting Ltd. told us before the rail yard was constructed. For example, on May 14, 2010, Don Barr of Cando Contracting Ltd. told us that petroleum tank cars would be dropped off or picked up only 2 to 3 times a week. The fact is, during the past year, the rail yard has been active almost every day of the week including weekends and holidays for several hours each day. Considering the loud noise from the shunting, coupling and uncoupling of tank cars, idling of locomotives, wheel and brake retarder squeal, and other rail yard activities, the difference between “only 2 to 3 times a week” and every day of the week, is significant. This Fact Sheet provides additional examples of the inconsistencies between what Cando Contracting Ltd. said and what actually has happened and what the truth is.
Our experience with Canadian National Railway and Imperial Oil Ltd., the other 2 partners in the rail yard, has not been any better. Our discussions with many other people have revealed similar experiences with the rail industry and Imperial Oil Ltd.
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