PEMBROKE — At the June 22nd session of the CP rail Corridor Committee meeting a symbolic signing of the partner’s agreement was conducted at the County of Renfrew Administration Building. In 2011, the County of Renfrew, County of Lanark and the Township of Papineau-Cameron formed a Partnership to engage in discussions to acquire the 296 km stretch of discontinued rail corridor that stretches from Mattawa to Smiths Falls, with 218 km of that cutting through Renfrew County.
The agreement was signed by the Warden of the County of Renfrew, Peter Emon, Warden of the County of Lanark, Gail Code, the Mayor of the Township of Papineau-Cameron, Robert Corriveau, as well as CAO James Hutton from the County of Renfrew, CAO Kurt Greaves from the County of Lanark and Jason McMartin the Clerk/Treasurer from the Township of Papineau-Cameron. The agreement is a detailed document that outlines the roles and responsibilities of each partner municipality, with regards to costs, maintenance and vision for the trail.
The 296 km corridor is split into three closing phases over the next two years based on ability to produce transferable descriptions starting with the most easterly section in Lanark and Renfrew Counties. At the same time, it is agreed that the Partners will lease the lands for a nominal fee while the transfers are proceeding. Public consultations will be an important component in shaping the development of the corridor following the purchase.
Chair of Development and Property Committee, and Chair of the CP Rail Corridor Advisory Committee, Councillor Robert Sweet said, “I wish to thank all those who have co-operated and worked together over the many years leading up to today. This agreement is a momentous occasion for the County of Renfrew, the County of Lanark and the Township of Papineau-Cameron.”
Warden Emon spoke to some of the advantages of the acquisition.
“The CP Partners Agreement moves this initiative one-step closer to the legacy of something truly special that all residents of our communities can enjoy for generations to come, both in the recreational sense and in the benefits to our economic future,” he said.
In 2010 Canadian Pacific announced its discontinuation of the 296 km stretch of rail line and its intent to sell it off. CP also expressed a preference to transfer the discontinued corridor to a single entity.
