Railway Safety Act Review Not Yet Ready

By 250 News

The final report of the Railway Safety Act Review has yet to be released, and it may have the recommendations which will quell the call for a public  inquiry into  CN's  safety record.

The  railway has had three derailments in  northern B.C. in 6 weeks,  including the collision, derailment and fire in Prince George, a ten car derailment in  Quesnel  ( in opinion 250 archive photo at left) and  last week's  derailment  east of Terrace which saw  29 grain cars off the track.

The railway is federally regulated, and while NDP MLA Maurine Karagianis, the opposition transportation critic says there should be a public inquiry, provincial Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon is not likely to echo that call.   Falcon has been overseas and unavailable for comment, but Ministry spokesperson, Susan Williams says in the past Falcon has made his stance clear "He is confident the Federal Minister will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure railways are operating safely."

Prince George Peace - River M.P Jay Hill says, personally, he would not support a public inquiry "I don't think a lengthy, expensive public inquiry is the way to go, at least not until it becomes evident that it is the only route possible."  Hill says railways are regulated, and they have safety obligations.  "I said, when the Fairview Terminal opened, that I would hold CN to its commitment.  They made a commitment to service, but in my mind they also have a commitment to ensure their trains don't fall off the tracks."

Speaking at Prince George City Council this week, CN's Senior Vice President of the Western Region, Jim Vena said the railway's safety record is improving, that year to date figures show there has been a decline in accidents.  According to Vena there were 374 accidents by this time last year, compared to 312 during the same period in 2007. 

During that meeting, Councilors told Vena there seemed to be a culture of fear among workers that employees are afraid that if they come forward with complaints about safety issues their jobs will be in jeopardy.  While Vena  said  CN would have to do a better job of "communicating that we are open to communication"   Prince George- Peace River M.P. Jay Hill says that is where the Union should be stepping in. "The Union not only negotiates fair wages, they also have the  strength to work with the corporation on safety issues."

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