CN Rail says it is not trespassing on Fort William First Nation land.
The claim was made recently in a letter from Chief Georjann Morriseau .
In a letter to Morriseau the company says its legal investigation into the claim shows that FWFN was paid 240 thousand dollars for the right to cross the sections of property in question.
In a separate letter to Mayor Keith Hobbs, CN says both sides will have to agree to disagree on the railway’s responsiblity related to a 1906 agreement between the City of Fort William and the Grand Trunk Railway regarding the James Street bridge.
It says it has proposed a solution to the saga which would mean the bridge could be open with weeks, but if the city insists on continuing the legal route, then the offer would be withdrawn.
CN spokesperson Lindsay Fedchyshyn says if the legal issues can be straightened out the company is willing to talk about reopening the bridge.
The company also admonished Mayor Keith Hobbs for suggesting CN has not maintained the bridge saying that the structure has outlived its useful life by 30 years…proof the bridge has been cared for.
