Office of the Mayor Bureau du mare
Gityof Orava Ville ftw
One, Ona Ps ‘tae On) KP
‘a (69) stea6| (63) sa
Fav on) Boose Tee) 82309
Mayor | Maire Ema mtWasenestonace Col anongoanace
March 6, 2018
Hon, Marc Gameau, P.C., MP.
Minister of Transport
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1A ONS
Dear Minister Garneau,
| am writing to you on behalf of the City of Ottawa, on a matter of pressing concern
arising out of recent decision of the Canadian Transportation Agency (the "CTA’). | have
taken the liberty of attaching a copy of that decision, dated February 16, 2018, which
relates to the Ottawa River Line that crosses the Princes of Wales Bridge over the
Ottawa River, the only rail passage that connects the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau.
‘As lam certain you have heard, the CTA has, on its own motion, directed the City to
‘make the following choice by Monday, April 30%, 2018:
1. Take the steps necessary to restore the Ottawa River Line, including the Prince.
of Wales Bridge, to a point where it could be made operable within 12 months of
a decision by the CTA to grant running rights to another ralivay company 10
operate over that line; or,
2. Take the steps necessary to discontinue the Ottawa River Line, under the
Canada Transportation Act.
You can certainly appreciate the City's surprise and disappointment in being asked to
‘make this unfortunate “either or” determination at this point in time. Particularly, it
‘appears that the CTA has rendered its decision without taking into account the ongoing
discussions between the cities of Gatineau and Ottawa, as well as with local Members.
‘of Parliament, with respect to the future potential use of the Ottawa River Line in
‘connecting our two transit systems.
[2]‘This link is seen as vital to the future integration of transit in the National Capital Region,
and studies by the Ministare des Transports du Québec and Ville de Gatineau are
currently underway to assess usability and timelines of operations of this Line. The
partners currently contemplating the future use of this line are two transit authorities that
are currently mandated to deliver public transportation throughout the National Capital
Region and on both sides of the Ottawa River. We do not believe there are other viable
‘transit operators with roling stock and the required capital required to restore rail
service over the Prince of Wales Bridge.
Furthermore following a technical review of the required implementation timelines, Staff
have assured me that no evel of government could undertake to design, finance,
procure and restore tis major ralway bridge in less than two to three years, versus the
twelve-month deadline set out by the CTA.
While the City’s legal counsel has moved to protect its formal right to appeal the CTA’s
decision to the Federal Court of Appeal, | note also that Section 40 of the Canada
Transportation Act provides for an appeal directly to Cabinet, as set out below:
40 The Governor in Counell may, at any time, in the discretion of the Governor in
Council, either on petition of a party or an interested person or of the Governor in
Counci's own motion, vany or rescind any decision, order, rule or requlation of
the Agency, whether he decision or order is wade Tater paules or ullerwise, etd
Whether the rule or regulation is general or limited in its scope and application,
‘and any order that the Govemor in Council may make to do so is binding on the
‘Agency and on all partis.
‘As a result, lam asking Cabinet to exercise the supervisory authority set out in Section
‘40 of the Canada Transportation Act and order that the CTA's ruling inthis instance be
rescinded. The City is taking these steps with a view to collaborating with the federal
government to find a better solution to this issue; one that isin the best interests of the
Government of Canada, the City of Ottawa, Ville de Gatineau and all the residents of
the National Capital Region,
[
Singerely, _-
I
sim Watson
Mayor
City of Ottawa.
ce: Hon. Catherine McKenna, P.C., MP.
Hon. David McGuinty, P.C., MP.
M. Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, maire, Ville de Gatineau