CN says the process of formally ending its obligations regarding the rail line between Hay River and Enterprise is complete.
The company told Cabin Radio late last week that as of October 28, “the discontinuance process was completed and the line is therefore discontinued.”
Discontinuance is the name for a set of steps any rail company must complete if they no longer wish to operate a stretch of track.
Discontinuing a line, once complete, removes a company’s formal responsibilities associated with it.
CN’s declaration that the 18-month-long process is complete for the 33-km line from Enterprise to Hay River comes even as the NWT government fights to keep the line open in the Federal Court of Appeal.
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The GNWT was granted permission last week by a panel of appeal judges to present its case.
The territory is alleging the Canadian Transportation Agency – a regulator – got it wrong earlier this year by siding with CN rather than the GNWT.
The territorial government had sought an order from the transportation agency requiring CN to repair and resume operations on the line, which was damaged by wildfire in 2023.
CN has declined to fix the track, saying there isn’t enough demand to justify the cost. Freight delivered by rail is instead being offloaded at a yard in Enterprise and moved by truck to Hay River and other destinations.
The GNWT alleged CN was failing to meet level-of-service obligations under the Canada Transportation Act. The agency, though, ruled in favour of CN. That ruling will be the subject of the appeal.
