July 15, 2014 Dear Vancouver resident, I am writing to update you on the latest developments between the City and Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) over the Arbutus Corridor. City Council is on record as opposing a reactivation of cargo trains

along the Corridor, and I wrote on behalf of the City in June to the CEO of CPR to express our opposition, and asked them to respect the wishes of the local neighbours along the route. To date, we have not received a response from CPR. As Mayor, I strongly believe that the Arbutus Corridor should remain as it is today - an enjoyable route for people to walk, run and bike along, as well as a home to the many community gardens that contribute to our neighbourhoods. We do not believe there is any business case for CPR to reactivate trains along the Corridor. Recently, Canadian Pacific Railway informed residents and business owners near the Arbutus Corridor of its intention to upgrade the Arbutus Rail Line to meet the regulated safety requirements needed for a possible re-commencement of operations. CPR has also advised that all encroachments, including garden plots, must be removed from its property by July 31, 2014. As stated previously, as Mayor I do not support these actions by CPR. Many of you have contacted the City with questions about the recent actions taken by CPR as well as what steps we are taking. I want to share some background on the Arbutus Corridor and to let you know what we are doing with respect to CPRs plans. History of the Arbutus Corridor Over a century ago, in 1886, the Provincial Crown granted the Canadian Pacific Railway Company a corridor of land (the Arbutus Corridor) for the construction of a railway line from False Creek south to Steveston. In 1999, CPR formally began the process of discontinuing rail operations on the corridor under the Canada Transportation Act. In July 2000, the City enacted the Arbutus Corridor Official Development Plan By-Law (ODP) that designated the corridor as a public thoroughfare for transportation and greenways like

heritage walks, nature trails and cyclist paths. A copy of this plan is available on our website at Vancouver.ca. There has been no rail activity on the Arbutus Corridor for nearly 14 years. In 2001, CPR began a planning exercise to redevelop the lands along the Arbutus Corridor. CPR then went to court to challenge the Citys ability to determine land use through the ODP. In 2005, the case went to the Supreme Court of Canada, which upheld the Citys right to determine how land within Vancouver can be used. Since then, the Arbutus Corridor has been used informally by the public as a greenway, walking and cycling route and home of multiple community gardens. In 2013, the City included the Arbutus Corridor as a green transportation corridor in the Citys Regional Context Statement, approved by Council and the Metro Vancouver Board, and is now integrated into the provincially-approved Regional Growth Strategy. CPR has offered to sell the Arbutus Corridor lands to the City. The City had an independent appraisal done of the Arbutus Corridor lands, and is prepared to pay fair market value for the land. Unfortunately, to date CPR has not been receptive to our offers. The City will continue to work towards reaching a reasonable, fair agreement with CPR that is reflective of the Arbutus Corridor ODP. We are clear in our vision for the Corridor. The City does not support the reactivation of cargo trains and we have expressed this directly to CPR. Gardens We also know that some of you have garden plots which CPR asked you to remove. As part of the Citys Community Garden Program, there are approximately 350 permitted garden plots on City-owned land near the rail line. Unfortunately, some of the permitted gardens have expanded onto land outside of the Citys jurisdiction, and may encroach on property owned by CPR. CPR, as landowner, is seeking their removal by July 31st. I encourage you to visit CPRs website cpr.ca for information and a map of these areas. City staff are examining the option of relocating mature fruit trees that may be encroaching on CPRs property and we will keep you informed on this matter moving forward. If you have any questions or concerns for CPR you can contact CPR through their website at cpr.ca or via phone at 1 (800) 766-7912.

If you have any questions for us at the City of Vancouver, contact us by phone at 3-1-1 or online at vancouver.ca. I want to thank the many residents who wrote to City Council supporting our position and expressing opposition to CPR's reactivation of trains. I encourage you to also write to CPR to express your opinion to them as well. It is important that they hear directly from local residents.

The City is committed to seeking a fair deal with CPR for the Arbutus Corridor lands, so that we can maintain and enhance the Corridor for local residents. We have had discussions for many years and we continue to seek a reasonable agreement. Again, we are hopeful that CPR will accept an offer of fair market value for the land. Thank you for your continued understanding and patience on this matter, which has raised a lot of concerns among many Vancouver residents and businesses. I assure you that we will continue to engage with CPR, and you as community members, to ensure we achieve a workable long-term solution, and keep you informed in the process. Sincerely,

Gregor Robertson MAYOR