CN Chief Casts Doubt on Railroad Acquisition
Involved in protracted negotiations with government, community and industry over the proposed $300 million dollar purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E), the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian National Railway Company has warned that Canadian National may simply walk away if too many complications ensue.
Speaking during a second quarter financial results conference call, Hunter Harrison indicated that Canadian National wasn’t beholden to the EJ&E 
to carry on their business, remarking that "We could run this railroad without the EJ&E. We could run it a lot more efficiently with it. But if it gets to the point where the mitigation costs or the timing of the issue is going to drag out for so long. … We’re very good at turning our backs and walking the other way and figuring out another way to skin the cat."
The proposed acquisition of EJ&E by Canadian National has raised significant opposition within local communities effected by the deal as well as prominent political opposition. Concerns range mostly around the suggested four-fold increase of rail traffic should Canadian National purchase EJ&E.
However in additional comments, Hunter Harrison said that "the pendulum is starting to swing a little bit, we’ve got some more people who endorse the transaction." I think people are starting to understand the not-in-my-backyard mentality. I’m cautiously optimistic that we will have this transaction completed by year-end."
Canadian National claimed in an earlier release that the purchase of EJ&E Railway would improve service to large and small companies across the Midwest of the United States by reducing existing rail congestion, as well as bringing both economic and environmental benefits to the Chicago region.
Source: Canadian National Railway Company and CTVglobemedia