MILTON LOGISTICS HUB
A Critical Link in Canada’s Supply Chain
A modern, sustainable intermodal facility designed to support Canada’s economy, strengthen supply chains and reduce road congestion
The Milton Logistics Hub was approved by the Government of Canada in 2021 following a rigorous environmental assessment. Construction is currently underway. The facility is expected to be partially complete and operational by 2027.
Milton offers strong infrastructure, access to 400-series highways and CN’s mainline and is designated for employment use with minimal environmental disruption relative to other sites. It’s also adjacent to a growing cluster of warehouses and distribution centres—making it an ideal location for efficient goods movement and supply chain connections.
PROJECT DOCUMENTATION FAQ
DIRECT JOB ON SITE CREATED
INDIRECT JOBS CREATED IN THE MOVEMENT OF GOODS
INTERMODAL TRAINS PER DAY AT MOST
TRUCKS PER DAY BEING REMOVED FROM HIGHWAYS
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The Milton Logistics Hub underwent one of the most extensive environmental assessments ever conducted for a rail infrastructure project in Canada, resulting in 325 legally binding conditions. CN is committed to long-term compliance, oversight and transparency every step of the way.
The Milton Logistics Hub was approved by the federal government on January 21, 2021, following an extensive environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. CN willingly entered into this transparent, thorough and public process to ensure full compliance and to make sure our project meets the highest standards of environmental protection and community accountability.
The review process included:
In their official report, the Joint Review Panel found that the Milton Logistics Hub constitutes critical infrastructure necessary to support Canada's supply chain. The panel also concluded that additional intermodal capacity is required in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area and that “smooth and connected logistics management” is essential to maintaining a strong national supply chain. These findings directly contributed to the federal government's approval of the Milton Logistics Hub.
Fact: The Milton Logistics Hub underwent one of the most extensive environmental assessments in Canada, resulting in 325 legally binding conditions imposed by the federal government to protect the community and environment.
CN is fully committed to meeting—and exceeding—the hundreds of conditions that guide our project, which include:
The environmental protection conditions that guide our project are all publicly available through the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency registry.
Additional oversight is provided by:
CN meets with these regulatory bodies on a regular basis throughout planning, construction and operations to ensure continued oversight and compliance.
This $250 million project will create 130 on-site jobs and support over 1,000 in the logistics sector. By strengthening supply chains and reducing shipping costs, the Milton Logistics Hub will support businesses across Milton and beyond.
CN moves more than $250 billion worth of goods across North America every year. If you've bought groceries, electronics, household items, clothing, or car parts—chances are they travelled in a CN container. With a growing population and rising demand across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), the need for modern freight capacity is increasing rapidly.
The Milton Logistics Hub is CN’s response to that demand—a $250 million investment in Ontario’s future that will strengthen the national supply chain, support job creation and help Canadian businesses access new markets.
The project will deliver direct and indirect employment benefits throughout construction and operations:
In addition to long-term jobs at the terminal itself, truck access infrastructure, stormwater systems and rail realignments will require local labour, contractors and skilled trades throughout construction.
The Milton Logistics Hub is being built in one of Canada’s fastest-growing economic regions—strategically located to serve retailers, manufacturers and e-commerce companies operating across Ontario and beyond. The facility will:
Fact: Intermodal shipping is the fastest-growing mode of freight transportation in North America, offering flexible, cost-effective delivery options by rail, truck and ship.
The Milton Logistics Hub supports trade and economic resilience through:
We are committed to being a good neighbour by consulting stakeholders and investing in local partnerships that benefit Milton.
At CN, we believe that strong infrastructure begins with strong relationships. The Milton Logistics Hub has been shaped by community input and continues to reflect our commitment to safety, transparency and local collaboration.
Since 2015, CN has engaged with residents, Indigenous groups, local leaders and stakeholders in Milton and Halton Region. Engagement activities have included:
In 2021, CN launched a Community Consultation Committee to ensure meaningful, ongoing dialogue throughout the development and operation of the Milton Logistics Hub. This committee includes residents, business representatives and local leaders and is supported by an independent facilitator to ensure transparency and accountability. CN shares updates on environmental monitoring, project timelines and restoration efforts directly with the committee and the broader community. CN has also refined design elements of the project and mitigation measures based on input from the committee. Learn more about the committee and their work on their website.
In response to community feedback, CN has made several important refinements to the project design and mitigation measures, including:
These design updates reflect CN’s commitment to building the project in a way that respects and responds to community priorities.
CN is committed to building respectful and lasting relationships with Indigenous Nations. Since the early stages of the Milton Logistics Hub, CN has engaged with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River and the Huron-Wendat Nation to ensure Indigenous knowledge, values, and perspectives are meaningfully reflected in the project through:
CN remains committed to this engagement throughout construction and operations, including opportunities for Indigenous participation in post-approval monitoring and habitat restoration initiatives.
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By shifting freight from trucks to rail, the Milton Logistics Hub will cut greenhouse gas emissions. Restoration and monitoring efforts will also help protect local habitats and wildlife.
The Milton Logistics Hub promotes a shift from road to rail—helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance Canada’s climate goals. Trains are, on average, four times more fuel-efficient than long-haul trucks. By shifting freight to rail, the Milton Logistics Hub will reduce emissions, cut highway congestion and support more sustainable trade.
The facility is designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating leading environmental management practices. Through a collaborative and science-based approach, CN is committed to avoiding, mitigating and offsetting potential environmental effects during construction and operations.
One of the most important decisions in designing the Milton Logistics Hub was selecting the right location. CN has operated safely in Milton for over 100 years and has owned the land where the project is being built since the 1990s. The site has long been designated for employment uses that support rail-based development. After evaluating several alternatives, this location was selected for its direct access to CN’s mainline, proximity to 400-series highways and its location within a fast-growing logistics corridor—surrounded by existing and planned warehouses. It also offers the ability to minimize environmental impacts compared to other options.
The Milton Logistics Hub underwent one of the most extensive environmental assessments ever conducted for a rail infrastructure project in Canada. The review was carried out by a Joint Review Panel under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 and included:
The federal review involved multiple departments, including:
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change concluded that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects under federal jurisdiction, provided that CN meets all mandated conditions.
CN is legally bound to comply with 325 federal conditions established through this process. These conditions guide environmental protection throughout design, construction and operation—and are all publicly available through the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency registry.
CN is enhancing local ecosystems through legally required offsetting measures that restore and create fish habitat. Key elements include:
Tributary A off-line restoration area – November 2022
Tributary A off-line restoration area – May 2025
As part of this work, Traditional Knowledge shared by Indigenous groups was considered in the assessment and design of mitigation measures. Indigenous environmental and archaeological monitors also participated in fieldwork and Indigenous groups contributed input throughout archaeological investigations, including naming identified sites.
These measures will be monitored post-construction to ensure they succeed and function as intended.
As one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly ways to move goods, rail has a tremendous potential to reduce the environmental impact of transportation by offering sustainable transportation solutions today and into the future.
Rail is one of the most sustainable ways of shipping cargo over land, emitting four times less greenhouse gases than trucking alone.
CN is also the most carbon-efficient North American railroad, consuming 15% less fuel per gross ton mile than the industry average.
As per the Association of American Railroads
To minimize impacts during construction, CN will:
The project also includes advanced stormwater management features such as oil grit separators, engineered ponds and protective outlet designs to manage runoff and water quality.
As part of CN’s environmental commitments, all workers on the Milton Logistics Hub receive wildlife awareness training to identify Species at Risk and migratory birds and understand how to respond to encounters. Construction is guided by a Wildlife Management Plan, with seasonal restrictions, exclusion fencing and monitoring protocols in place to protect sensitive species such as barn swallows, chorus frogs, turtles, bats and monarch butterflies.
Environmental protection does not end with project approval. CN is committed to ongoing engagement with Indigenous groups, local stakeholders and government agencies to meet all 325 federally mandated conditions.
As part of this commitment, CN continues to work with the Community Consultation Committee —a forum that brings together local representatives, residents and CN to share information and feedback. Through this committee, CN provides updates on environmental monitoring programs, habitat restoration efforts and overall project performance.
Indigenous groups are also offered opportunities to participate in post-approval monitoring and habitat restoration activities, ensuring that their knowledge and values continue to inform the long-term stewardship of the site.
CN was the April 2025 sponsor for the Halton Learning Foundation, matching donations up to $25,000 to support student access to education
CN has contributed over $400,000 since 2014 to the Milton District Hospital Foundation to help improve local healthcare services
CN contributed $500,000 to Wilfrid Laurier University, funding hands-on ecological monitoring and habitat restoration fieldwork for undergraduate and graduate students in the Milton area
CN served as the 2024 title sponsor of the Milton Santa Claus Parade and participated in the community food drive
Documents prepared by Stantec and other entities throughout the years can be found on Stantec's website.
And more...
Construction Fact Sheet (Fall, 2021)
Construction Schedule 15.2 (March, 2025)
UPDATED - Notice of Night Construction (June 18-21, 2025) NEW
Notice of Britannia Road Intersection Construction (April 7, 2025)
UPDATED - Notice of Night Construction (March 6-12, 2025)
Acoustic Environment (pdf)
Air Quality (pdf)
Country Foods (pdf)
Fish and Fish Habitat (pdf)
Groundwater (pdf)
Lighting (pdf)
Progressive Reclamation (pdf)
Surface Water Quality and Quantity (pdf)
Wildlife Management and Connectivity (pdf)
Terms of Reference
CN appoints independent facilitators to lead community feedback forum – July 2, 2021
Community consultation committee established to further two-way communication on the CN Milton Logistics Hub – December 2, 2021
Community Liaison Communication Process
2021 Community Engagement Summary
Intermodal transportation uses a single container to move goods seamlessly by multiple modes, such as rail and truck. This method improves efficiency, reduces fuel use and lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to long-haul trucking.
After reviewing multiple sites, CN selected Milton because it was the only location that met the project’s technical, logistical and environmental requirements. It is close to CN’s mainline and 400-series highways, is designated for employment uses and offers minimal environmental disruption relative to other locations. The site is also adjacent to a growing cluster of warehouses and distribution centres—both existing and under construction—making it ideally situated to support efficient goods movement and supply chain connections.
The project was approved by the federal government in 2021 following an extensive environmental assessment. Construction is currently underway and is expected to be partially complete and operational by 2027.
The project includes a 1.7-kilometre private road and queuing area on CN property to keep trucks off local streets. CN is also financing a new underpass at Lower Base Line, upgrades to key intersections and a separate employee entrance on Tremaine Road.
To reduce potential impacts on nearby residents, CN is building landscaped berms planted with native vegetation. Lighting will be directed downward with shields to prevent glare and construction will be limited to daytime hours where feasible.
Yes. Since 2015, CN has held multiple rounds of public engagement, consultations and open houses. A Community Consultation Committee was created in 2021 to ensure ongoing dialogue with local residents, Indigenous groups and municipal stakeholders.
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