MacTier Ontario - About 50 concerned citizens in MacTier gathered at Caboose Park on 31 May 2014 to protest changes to a major community sight line and public space, impacted by a two-metre-tall sloped rock rubble berm that was controversially erected by CP Rail.
 
CP Rail last spoke to Georgian Bay Township council in February about erecting a fence between Railway Street and the rail yard on the shores of Stewart Lake, but instead of a fence, the mound of rubble appeared running parallel to the tracks, with no mention or consultation about the rubble with the township, said Georgian Bay Township Coun. Louis Rivett.
 
Chain Link Fence
 
Rivett said that people historically cross CP property on their way to the lake, but said a chain link fence would have met the company's concerns about safety while maintaining a view of the lake.
 
"So why they decided to build a wall instead of erecting a fence in our little community is just very inconsiderate," said Rivett.
 
"They built a wall and they just completely severed our community from the lake or from the town with no consideration."
 
On the part of CP, company spokesperson Ed Greenberg said the berm was built on railway property in consultation with township officials.
 
The company plans to cover the berm with topsoil and seed grass and add some shrubbery.
 
"The purpose of the berm is for public safety. The intention is to reduce the level of trespassing across the track area and our operations," said Greenberg.
 
"We are quite concerned with the level of trespass, and as you know the illegal crossing of railway tracks is a dangerous practice and we hope the berm will be a deterrent."
 
Township council is expected to have a report on the matter next week, and Rivett plans to put forward a resolution at Monday's council meeting proposing a special committee oversee CP Rail yard work.
 
"We have not had a great deal of oversight which is why the CPR just got a little ahead of themselves and did this without any input or consultation with the community," said Rivett.
 
The Community Development Committee organized the rally.

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