Clarification regarding substance used in CP rail spraying

06/07/2016

The Public Safety Unit of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is advising the community of erroneous information surrounding the Canadian Pacific (CP) Vegetation Management Program spraying that took place on Tuesday, May 31st, 2016.

Concerned individuals have contacted the PSU claiming that the substance sprayed onto the tracks was a carcinogenic chemical called Glysophate. This information is inaccurate. CP utilizes the product Esplanade, which has the active ingredient Indaziflam, a biodegradeable herbicide that inhibits growth in vegetation.

In the past, the PSU has requested that CP not carry out any spraying on the tracks. However, failure to do so puts the integrity of the infrastructure at risk of failure. There are concerns that the MCK could be held liable in the case of a derailment due to lack of proper maintenance (i.e. weed growth).

While both the MCK Public Safety Unit and the Environment Protection Office have concerns about spraying, it is agreed that safety must remain a priority.

The material safety data sheets are available online at www.kahnawake.com and more information can be obtained by contacting Arnold Lazare at (450) 632-0635.