"The shipment of dangerous goods by rail has dramatically increased over recent years," Duncan said. “Despite successive governments declaring that oil-by-rail poses significant risks, the rail sector remains massively under-regulated."
Duncan’s bill makes two significant changes to the regulation of rail. It requires a mandatory federal environmental assessment (with a public engagement component) of all rail activities that pose significant risk to the environment, human life or public health. Additionally, it creates a level of certification that will be required for rail companies who wish to transport specified volumes of dangerous cargo.
“These reforms will give Canadians a say in how dangerous goods move through their communities by rail," said Duncan. "With the National Energy Board forecasting a ten-fold increase of dangerous goods by rail over the next 25 years, we need to be proactive and prevent the impacts of rail disasters on the scale of Lac-Mégantic."
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http://www.ndp.ca/news/ndp-tables-bill-strengthen-rail-safety
http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&DocId=8438288
For more information, please contact:
NDP Media Centre: 613-222-2351 or [email protected]