23 February 2006
Supreme Court Rules on Arbutus Lands But Future Use Still to be Determined
Vancouver - Canadian Pacific Railway said that today's
Supreme Court of Canada decision that upheld a City of Vancouver bylaw
designating CPR's privately-owned Arbutus lands for public use does not change
the current status of the property as a rail freight corridor nor does it
provide for the corridor to become public lands. Any change from freight rail
use will require purchase of the land from CPR.
"The Court decision does not affect the ownership of the land, nor does
it resolve the impasse over its future use," said CPR Vice President of
Communications and Public Affairs, Paul Clark.
CPR is hopeful that a solution can be worked out with the City of
Vancouver. "As a national freight railway, we successfully operate, own
property and interact with hundreds of municipal governments across Canada and
in the United States. Canadian Pacific Railway has a solid track record of
working collaboratively with communities in British Columbia and Canada in
regards to land use, most recently in the sale of land to the City of
Richmond."
Clark added that CPR continues to be committed to the Visioning Process
that it launched in January 2006. The Visioning Process CPR has initiated is
designed to get public input into possible sustainable uses of the land, and
is guided by an independent advisory panel of sustainability experts.
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