News Release
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OTTAWA – While the federal government is dragging its feet on comprehensive rail safety reforms, the NDP is standing up in Ottawa to ensure communities are protected.
Today in the House of Commons, NDP MP Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt) demanded answers from the federal government regarding rail safety in Northern Ontario. The question comes following a resolution at the Northern Council Convention last week, where council members voted to ensure rail safety standards are improved and enforced.
Claude Gravelle:
Mr. Speaker, freight trains roll through my riding of Nickel Belt day and night. Residents want to know that their safety is put first when it comes to the shipment of hazardous materials.
The Transport Safety Board's report condemns the Conservatives' failure to monitor and enforce safety practices of railway companies.
How will the minister fix these serious gaps and ensure the safety of northern Ontario residents?
Jeff Watson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport:
Mr. Speaker, what the Transportation Safety Board, in fact, concluded is that the rules were not followed.
Immediately following this tragedy, though, our government took additional actions, decisive actions, to ensure the safety and integrity of Canada's rail system, and will implement every recommendation made by the Transportation Safety Board.
