Duncan Calls on Transport Canada to Stop Blocking Major Housing Project in Cornwall

Local Member of Parliament Eric Duncan (Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry) is calling on the Minister of Transport to “…return Cornwall’s waterfront lands owned by Transport Canada to local ownership and control.” Transport Canada, which has been in talks with the City for over 8 years, “…has yet to transfer even a single parcel of land.” said Duncan. “This has been a perfect example of red tape and bureaucracy. As the process drags on, Transport Canada bureaucrats are now contradicting each other and creating chaos…”

As per Duncan’s press release, a renewed sense of urgency has put the Transport Canada issue in the spotlight with the City finalizing plans and approvals for the 10 Brookdale Avenue development, which would add 506 multi-residential units to a 1.1-hectare (2.8-acre) parcel of land at the southwest corner of Brookdale Avenue and Water Street.

The City requires ‘Parcel 6’ of the Transport Canada lands covering the intersection of Brookdale and Water Street to be transferred to the City of Cornwall, so that the road entrance can be built to the west of the intersection.

While Transport Canada had stated to the City that the entire portfolio of lands must be handled and sold in its entirety, it was later revealed that bureaucrats at Transport Canada and the Federal Bridge Corporation Ltd. (FBCL) were in negotiations about acquiring only ‘Parcel 6’ in a special arrangement. Once the City became engaged, an agreement was reached locally that would see the City and FBCL split ‘Parcel 6’, which would allow each to have ownership of the required above and below-ground infrastructure that each group already owns and operates. This includes the City’s traffic lights at the intersection and the Bridge Corporation’s underground infrastructure and entrance to the bridge toll area.

Akwesasne Grand Chief Abram Benedict has added his voice and support for the arrangement, which would allow the large and vital residential project to proceed at 10 Brookdale Avenue.

Recently, City of Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale wrote the Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez expressing the City’s frustrations. He stated “I, along with my Council are frustrated. We are frustrated both by the length of time the divestiture is taking, as well as the way the divestiture process has been handled by your ministry to date… We do not believe that these actions reflect discussions in good faith and true partnership”.

“We are in a housing crisis, and yet the lawyers and bureaucrats still can’t figure things out after all these years. It is time for Minister Rodriguez to intervene,” said Duncan.

The above is a rendition of Eric Duncan’s press release and has not been checked for accuracy.