Several communities want to derail the sale this month of a stretch of track in northwestern Manitoba.
The Cowan subdivision, which runs from north of Dauphin, Man., to south of Swan River, was sold by Canadian National to Cando Contracting, a company interested in tearing up the track for salvage.
But rural councils in the area met June 19 and said they will challenge the sale.
They argue CN did not abide by all the rules set out under the Canadian Transportation Act for ending service on the line and for selling it.
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Councils opposed to the sale intend to file a joint complaint to the Canadian Transportation Agency.
CN spokesperson Jim Feeny said allegations that the rail company failed to follow the proper procedures are false.
“Every municipality along that line had been notified.”
Some municipalities were missed during the initial offering in early 1997, Feeny said. Those missed were notified five months later that the line was for sale.
“We have followed the process.”
Meanwhile, some municipalities have approved municipal heritage designation for portions of the Cowan subdivision in their jurisdiction, said Ethelbert reeve Maxine
Plesiuk.
She said those municipalities are ready to use the designation to block any attempts to remove the track.
