Canadian Railway Safety Under The Spotlight

After numerous and costly derailments with some resulting in deaths of employees on the New CN, the Canadian government surprisingly decided to have an investigation. The committee awarded the task is the; Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN)

From their site;

About this Committee

Mandate
The Committee’s mandate includes all areas covered by Transport Canada and Infrastructure Canada. It can study any aspect of the Department’s management and operation, as well as any legislation, programs or policy areas administered by the Minister of Transport Infrastructure and Communities. The portfolio mix of transportation, infrastructure and communities – combined after the 2006 election, is quite broad including:
• Transportation programs and policies set by the Government of Canada;
• Over $13 billion in contribution and transfer programs;
• A range of socio-economic, cultural and environmental issues facing Canadian cities and communities.
The Committee primarily considers legislation and issues of national importance related to these subjects. While many aspects of these portfolios are exclusively the responsibility of the provinces, e.g., highways, public transit and municipal infrastructure, the federal government may have a role where it is perceived that the national interest is at stake. For example, in addition to legislation, the Committee has issued reports on:
• Airport security
• Ports policy
• Inter-provincial trucking
• The National Highway System
• Airline mergers and
• Railway safety.

It’s the Railway Safety report that may interest a few. I hope that this report will not be censored by CN and their right-wing government cronies, and will bring about the return to a safe,secure and dignified working environment for the Canadian employees of the Canadian National Railways.

Read the eye opening evidence put forward here;
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/cm

It’s interesting to see that political posturing happens about as frequently to the north of the 49th Parallel as it does to the south of it. Like many government reports or White Papers, it will justify the fact that the study was needed but the report will be duly filed away and little to no real action will be taken.

If anyone is interested, Transport Canada has finally posted for public viewing the
Final Report: Targeted Inspection of CN Operations (Phase 1 of Transport Canada Action Plan to Address CN Safety Issues) January 5, 2006
http://www.tc.gc.ca/railway/publications/inspection.htm
and the
Final Report: Audit of Safety Management Practices at CN (Phase 2 of Transport Canada Action Plan to Address CN Safety Issues) Updated: June 12, 2006
http://www.tc.gc.ca/railway/publications/audit.htm

CN made attempts to suppress these two reports. Fortunately the Canadian government refused to be intimidated by CN and released both reports to the public this year.

The Railway Safety Act Review Advisory Panel

From their site;

The Railway Safety Act Review Advisory Panel wants to hear from people and organizations about the working and overall efficiency of the Railway Safety Act. Share your views, recommendations or concerns with us.

Of interest;

Railway Safety Act Review;
http://www.transports.ca/tcss/RSA_Review-Examen_LSF/toc_e.htm

Consultation Guidance Document;
http://www.transports.ca/tcss/RSA_Review-Examen_LSF/guidance_doc_e.htm

Submissions Received;
http://www.transports.ca/tcss/RSA_Review-Examen_LSF/submissions_e.htm

Also CAPER, ‘Canadian Alliance of Partners & Employees of the Railroad’, may be of interest to some;
http://capercanada.shawbiz.ca/

Clique of One
Signal Department.
Canadian National Railways.

RAILWAY SAFETY ACT REVIEW – PUBLIC HEARINGS

The MONDAY, MAY 14, 2007 meeting;
http://capercanada.shawbiz.ca/RSAConsultations/RSA%20Vancouver.html

The THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2007 meeting;
http://capercanada.shawbiz.ca/RSAConsultations/RSA%20Edmonton.html

The MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2007 meeting;
http://capercanada.shawbiz.ca/RSAConsultations/RSA%20Calgary.html