Government wants to sell Burlington Canal and lift bridge

The federal government wants to sell the Burlington Canal and the lift bridge that spans it.

Transport Canada says, ideally, the city of Hamilton or the city of Burlington would buy the breakdown-prone lift bridge. However, if that doesn’t pan out, the local port authority or even a private company could simply be given the canal and bridge.

The federal government is looking to offload a total of 50 port facilities across the country this summer. Councillor Chad Collins, whose ward includes the Hamilton side of the bridge, can’t imagine any company buying the facility. Collins says it’s not an asset they could develop.

Burlington councillor Rick Craven, whose ward includes the Burlington side, dismisses fears that the lift bridge would be closed if no one buys it.