Residents are advised that Canadian National Railway (CN) will be conducting vegetation management activities along railway corridors within the region between April and October 2026.
Vegetation management is an important part of railway safety and regulatory compliance. In accordance with requirements set by Transport Canada, CN proactively manages vegetation to reduce potential risks to railway operations and enhance safety for both rail operations and surrounding communities.
How Vegetation Will Be Managed
CN uses a combination of mechanical and chemical methods to maintain safe railway operations while considering environmental protection and community concerns.
Railway property is generally divided into two main areas:
- Ballast section (24-foot area): Primarily gravel that supports the track structure
- Right-of-way section: The area outside the ballast section extending to the CN property boundary
Vegetation management approaches include:
- Chemical control in safety-critical areas such as the ballast section and around signals and communications equipment
- Applications conducted using specialized spray equipment designed to minimize drift
- Mechanical control methods such as mowing or brush cutting within the right-of-way
- Limited chemical treatment in localized areas to manage noxious or invasive weeds where necessary
All work will be carried out by qualified contractors who are required to follow applicable laws and regulations and adhere to industry and environmental standards.
Requests for Noxious Weed Management
Residents or property owners with specific concerns about noxious weeds along railway property are encouraged to submit requests directly to CN.
To be considered for the 2026 Vegetation Management Program, requests must be submitted before June 1, 2026. Requests received after this date will be considered for the 2027 program.
Requests can be submitted by:
- Email: contact@cn.ca
- Online form: www.cn.ca/vegetation
More Information
Residents can view a regularly updated schedule of vegetation management activities and a list of frequently asked questions on CN’s website at:
www.cn.ca/vegetation
For additional information, contact the CN Public Inquiry Line at:
1-888-888-5909 or contact@cn.ca