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CN Rail Takes Parks Canada to Court Over Flood Protection in Jasper National Park

CN Rail argues a delayed barrier study is essential to prevent catastrophic rail disruption from a potential river avulsion.

Southern Railway of British Columbia (SRY Rail Link) employees survey a section of rail lines that are washed out in numerous places and covered in flood debris after water receded in Abbotsford, B.C., Friday, Nov. 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Overview

  • The railway filed a Federal Court application on June 13 seeking to compel Parks Canada to allow an environmental impact assessment for a protective berm along its main line in Jasper National Park.
  • CN’s experts warn the Snake Indian River is at imminent risk of avulsion that could destroy tracks, halt east–west service and trigger a derailment.
  • Parks Canada has stalled CN’s flood barrier proposals for nearly eight years by rejecting impact assessments and barring dredging and in-park material sourcing under wilderness policies.
  • In its January 2024 submission, CN offered two berm options: importing fill from outside the park or dredging riverbed gravel to reduce the structure’s footprint and habitat impact.
  • The contested rail corridor links B.C. ports with Canada’s interior and is deemed critical infrastructure for national trade and supply chains.