Canadian Pacific and Mayo Clinic Build Understanding and Commit to Ongoing Dialogue

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic and Canadian Pacific (CP) conducted their first face-to-face meeting yesterday in Calgary and made a commitment to ongoing dialogue among their two organizations and the community of Rochester as CP progresses through its transition planning and the implementation of a safety integration plan for the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern (DM&E) Railroad.

Both CP and Mayo Clinic officials are optimistic about the common ground that was established and the increased understanding each party gained of the other's business and expectations.

"We had a very open and constructive dialogue and we left with a mutual understanding of each others needs and concerns," said Glenn Forbes, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Rochester. "We both expressed a strong and firm commitment to work collaboratively, both together and with the community of Rochester, to ensure the highest degree of safety moving forward."

CP recently acquired the DM&E. The transaction must be approved by the Surface Transportation Board before CP can influence any operational decisions or practices.

Mayo Clinic, on behalf of the community of Rochester, and CP outlined their respective priorities and expectations for rail operations in the Rochester area, should the STB approve the transaction.

During the meeting, and separate from aspects relating to the existing railway and customer base, CP again emphasized that it has made no decisions about its potential to access new coal haulage business in the Powder River Basin area.

"CP has a best-in-class process for relationship development and issues resolution with neighbors and communities in the areas through which we operate," said Fred Green, President and CEO of Canadian Pacific. "Our solid community reputation is fundamentally based on CP's commitment to operational safety and environmental stewardship. We were pleased to share this with the Mayo Clinic representatives."

Officials from both sides consider the meeting a success. "This meeting was the beginning of a long-term constructive relationship based on open dialogue, mutual understanding and compromise," said Dr. Forbes. "We look forward to hosting CP officials here in Rochester during the first quarter of 2008 to build on the progress made in this first meeting, and the opportunity for CP officials to meet with other members of the Rochester Coalition and other key stakeholders on this critically important issue."

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