Dear Concerned Friends,

This letter includes a summary of the points and progress I feel we have made, in relation to the petition I presented in the House of Commons, which I discussed during the town hall meeting at the Ayr Fire Hall on Thursday July 3, 2008.

These key points will serve as a central theme of focus when I meet with the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities on your behalf. The balance of discussions with Minister Cannon will come from your accumulated comments and survey responses.

To reiterate, the petition points included:

1. Protection of underground gas and other pipelines:
We have full assurances that the underground pipelines are far enough away and already protected sufficiently as to cause the local utilities no concern whatsoever.

2. Protection of Nith River from spills, leaks, and other contaminants:
An Environmental Assessment has been done and the Minister of Health has signed off. You all have great concern over the details of this study, so Iwill work to try and make this report available. It is also worth pointing out that I have received assurances of base water testing, and post construction monitoring of traffic delays, and unnecessary idling of trains.

3. Sound Barriers:
Based on conversations I have had with local Councilors, it would appear that a sound barrier will be installed. However, this has not been confirmed by C.P. Iwill ask the Minister to address this issue but I reiterate that I have had no indication of any such barrier.

4. Assurances against unnecessary idling of engines:
Canadian Pacific Railway assures us, as well as regional transportation officials, that this issue will be monitored in our interest. As mentioned above, post-construction monitoring will occur and the idling of trains and traffic delays will be ongoing.

5. Access planning for emergency vehicles, now and in the future of this growing area:
We have won an emergency access road, along with flashing lights at the top of Trussler Road & Blenheim Road. In my meeting with Minister Cannon I will stress the importance of emergency accessibility as well as how this may be impacted by the potential expansion of the yard.

6. Safe and timely evacuation of the nearby 401 in the event of an emergency:
As I mentioned during the last town hall meeting, to date, there is no plan for a bridge at either end of the rail yard. Despite this fact, I assure you that all decision makers are fully aware of our situation, and they were not one year ago.

7. Communication policy and procedures with local authorities:
I am told that discussions have taken place and that dialogue will continue between Mayor Kim Denouden, Mayor Kenn Howling, the North Dumfries’ Fire Chief and CP officials in preparation for emergencies. It is imperative that open dialogue continuously progresses among officials, and it has, in order to remedy the community’s concerns regarding emergency preparations.

I will include in my discussions with Minister Cannon your concerns as relayed to me at the Town Hall and the survey. Together, in cooperation, we have and will make this situation as constructive as possible.