Train Derailments Piling Up In Northern Ontario

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes

OTTAWA, ON – Despite government claims that they are responding to the rash of train derailments, nothing will change if they allow railways to regulate themselves, according to Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Carol Hughes.

Hughes raised the recent derailments in Northern Ontario during Question Period yesterday and highlighted environmental concerns at the top of the list for residents of Northern Ontario.

“Northern Ontario has now seen three train wrecks in less than a month – two in Gogama and one between Hornepayne and Oba. The last two were only a few days apart this week,” said Hughes. “The people of Northern Ontario are concerned about their safety, about the destruction of air and water quality.”

Police helicopter view of Lac-Mégantic, the day of the derailment; Hughes questions what the government learned from the tragedy and whether safety has improved enough to protect Canadians. Photo Sureté du Québec click for source.

Police helicopter view of Lac-Mégantic, the day of the derailment; Hughes questions what the government learned from the tragedy and whether safety has improved enough to protect Canadians. Photo Sureté du Québec click for source.

Hughes said that despite changes made in the wake of the Lac Megantic tragedy, trains are still derailing and cars containing flammables are still catching fire.

“There was another derailment in northern Ontario on Saturday,” said Hughes. “This time, 35 cars carrying oil derailed and caught fire. Three weeks ago, in the same area, 30 cars of the same type were involved in another derailment, yet the TSB had found that the new Class 111 tank cars did not perform any better than those involved in Lac-Mégantic.”

Hughes feels the government is not doing enough to protect Canadians and worries that trains carrying flammables are still cutting through small towns. She called on the minister to finally put stricter safety standards in place to protect Canadians.

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