27 November 2007
Canadian Pacific and Mayo Clinic Build Understanding and Commit to Ongoing Dialogue
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The Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minnesota,
USA.
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Calgary Alberta - Canadian Pacific and the Mayo Clinic
concluded the first face-to-face meeting yesterday in Calgary with a commitment to ongoing dialogue between their two
organizations and the community of Rochester as CP progresses through its transition planning and the implementation of a safety
integration plan for the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern (DM&E) Railroad.
Both CP and Mayo Clinic officials are optimistic about the common ground that was established and the increased understanding each
party gained of the other's business and expectations.
"CP has a best-in-class process for relationship development and issues resolution with neighbours and communities in
the areas through which we operate," said Fred Green, President and CEO of Canadian Pacific. "Our solid community reputation
is fundamentally based on CP's commitment to operational safety and environmental stewardship. We were pleased to share this with the
Mayo Clinic representatives."
CP recently acquired the Dakota, Minnesota, & Eastern. The transaction must be approved by the Surface Transportation Board before
CP can influence any operational decisions or practices.
Both the Mayo Clinic and CP outlined their respective priorities and expectations for rail operations in the Rochester area, should the
STB approve the transaction.
During the meeting, and separate from aspects relating to the existing railway and customer base, CP again emphasized that it has made
no decisions about its potential to access new coal haulage business in the Powder River Basin area.
"We had a very open and constructive dialogue and we left with a mutual understanding of each others needs and concerns,"
said Glenn Forbes, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Rochester. "We both expressed a strong and firm commitment to work collaboratively,
both together, and with the community of Rochester to ensure the highest degree of safety moving forward."
During the meeting, CP highlighted its safety framework and related operating practices. This focus on safety has made CP the safest
railroad in North America in seven of the last nine years. In 2006, for example, CP had 1.54 FRA reportable train accidents per million
train-miles, compared to an industry average of 3.60.
Officials from both sides consider the meeting a success. "This meeting was the beginning of a long-term constructive
relationship based on open dialogue, mutual understanding, and compromise," said Mayo's Forbes. "I look forward to hosting CP
officials in Rochester to build on the progress we made and to introducing CP to other key stakeholders within the
City."
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