Image – CN shunting yard train expelling diesel fumes in 2024
We’ve seen a recent break in the extreme cold weather and I know it’s a relief to everyone in our city, including North Enders. The warmer weather is getting closer, which means a chance to connect with one another outdoors and at community events. I’m looking forward to it and to seeing folks out in the neighbourhood.
To that end, I’ll be welcoming North Enders to join me on Thursday, April 9 at 7pm for a Community Meeting. We’re still working on a location for our meeting, but once it’s been confirmed we’ll send out a postcard to North End mailboxes and include an update here, in the Breezes, next month.
The April 9 meeting will be our last in a series of meetings held across Ward 2 in 2026 for each of the six downtown neighbourhoods. The purpose of these meetings is to update residents on what’s happening in their neighbourhoods and provide an opportunity to connect one on one.
Speaking of issues that matter, North Enders have reached out to me about the odours coming from the CN shunting yards near Bayfront Park. They’ve been particularly bad this year during the extreme cold weather, though this is not a new issue. I’ve heard from North Enders about the impacts of these odours, everything from concerns about air quality, to nausea, vomiting, headaches, and worries about serious health impacts.
I’ve been in touch with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, here in Hamilton, and they’ve said that the tests they performed in response to the complaints they received were within their guidelines for air pollution and quality, despite the fact that North Enders have made it clear this is not acceptable.
I’ve also spoken to our local CN representative who confirmed CN doesn’t have any plans to electrify their rail operations, which is the only way to completely eliminate diesel fumes. They also told me they’re either repairing or replacing the two locomotives at their shunting yard in response to concerns raised by residents and that this will improve things if this should happen again in the future. I’m very thankful that North Enders reached out to CN about this. It made a difference.
If you should experience impacts from CN rail operations in the future, you can contact CN directly at 1 (888) 888-5909. You should also contact the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks by phone at (905) 521-7650 or by email at moe.tips@ene.gov.on.ca or Environment.HaltonPeel@ontario.ca and Transport Canada by phone at 1 (844) 897-7245 or by email at TC.RailSafetyandSecurity-Securiteetsureteferroviaires.TC@tc.gc.ca.
As a Councillor, I can’t direct the Provincial or Federal government to take action, which is why it’s important for those impacted to report this information as well. These agencies have a duty to the public that doesn’t extend to the City or members of Council.
Unfortunately, the Provincial guidelines for air quality are a big part of the problem. In this term of Council, we’ve pushed back against the Province to ask them to change these guidelines and do everything possible to improve local air quality – the Province has refused to step up and make the necessary changes. I encourage you to contact sitting local Progressive Conservative MPPs and our own Hamilton Centre Liberal MP to voice your concerns about this with them directly. Ultimately, the Federal government has jurisdiction over CN and should be held accountable for their actions.
It’s reasonable for North Enders to expect better. Air quality is important and the North End neighbourhood has experienced way more than its fair share of harm as a result of rail and industrial operations.
Once I have more information on what may be possible moving forward, I’ll share it with North Enders, here and through my newsletter.
If you’d like to connect with my office, please reach out at Ward2@hamilton.ca or through our office phone number at (905) 546-2197. If you want to reach out to me directly, email me at Cameron.Kroetsch@hamilton.ca. The Ward 2 Team is available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00am to 4:00pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00am to 8:00pm. We’re always happy to hear from you, so please feel free to reach out to connect with us.
