Residents of the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood in Montreal voiced complaints after Canadian National Railway applied herbicide to railway tracks that run alongside their homes in July 2026. The spraying was carried out without any advance notice to the nearby community, prompting a wave of opposition from those who said they were not informed about the chemical treatment.
The operation was part of CN’s routine weed‑control program, which regularly treats vegetation along its rail corridors to maintain safety and reduce fire risk. However, the recent application took place in close proximity to residential properties, a setting that the railway had not previously highlighted as part of its standard procedures.
Local residents reported the incident to municipal authorities and expressed concern about potential health and environmental impacts of the herbicide. They argued that the lack of prior communication prevented them from taking precautionary measures, such as keeping windows closed or staying indoors during the application.
Canadian National Railway confirmed that the herbicide was applied as part of its ongoing maintenance work but did not elaborate on why notification was omitted in this case. The company’s standard practice typically involves informing stakeholders when treatments are planned near populated areas, a step that was apparently missed during this July operation.
The episode has reignited discussion about the balance between railway safety maintenance and community right‑to‑know. While CN maintains that vegetation control is essential for safe rail operations, the Mercier–Hochelaga‑Maisonneuve residents are urging the railway to adopt clearer communication protocols for future work that could affect neighbourhoods.