CN Pleads to Environmental Charges

As a result of guilty pleas entered in Alberta and British Columbia on Monday, CN will pay a total of $1.8 million, much of which will directly benefit environmental organizations in those provinces.

Following two train derailments in 2005, CN was charged with offences under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, the British Columbia Environmental Management Act, the federal Fisheries Act and the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.

Pursuant to the resolution reached on May 25, 2009, CN will pay $600,000.00 to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Edmonton; $400,000.00 to support fisheries and fish related habitats in Northern Alberta; $350,000.00 for projects in the Squamish River watershed; and approximately $300,000.00 to NAIT to develop a course to provide training for emergency preparedness and volunteer firefighters. As part of a creative sentencing proposal, CN will also create an emergency response plan.

The settlement was based on joint submissions from all parties and is an example of effective collaboration between government, industry and conservation groups. It signals good news, not only for the environmental organizations to which the funds will be paid, but also for wildlife and natural habitats in Alberta and British Columbia.