The transport by rail of dangerous goods is a concern not only for those living near rail lines, but also for those who commute alongside rail lines.

Many of these dangerous goods are part of the economic reality we live in, and while reducing our carbon footprint is a noble goal, it is not one likely to be achieved quickly.

So what can we do to protect our families and communities?

The first step is gathering knowledge.  There is a lot of information on this topic, and while it can be challenging to sift through, knowing that the aim is to prevent another Lac-Mégantic is a huge motivator.  Follow Safe Rail Communities on FB for current events on this matter.

Step two is to raise awareness.  Share what you learn with your family, friends, and neighbours.  Connect with your MP, and ask them for information and support.  The oversight of railway regulations is a federal matter.

Step three is to take action.  Use every possible avenue to make this an issue for the federal government.   Draft a petition on this matter, and collect 25 signatures with addresses and postal codes.  Ask your MP to submit it to the House of Commons.  The Minister of Transport must officially respond.  Seek out other groups like Safe Rail Communities, and unite to form a larger voice.

SRC is asking for more transparency and safeguards with respect to the transport by rail of dangerous goods, most especially Bakken crude, which is still a largely unpredictable entity.  Despite recent changes to railway safety, the Minister of Transport has refused to allow any Transport officials to attend community meetings since the last one on April 24th in the riding of York-South Weston.  None attended our community meeting on September 4th despite multiple invitations from our MP, Peggy Nash (NDP).  SRC also sent an official invitation to the Minister herself, but received no response.

With this summer’s passing of Bill C31 Budget Implementation Act, Canadians were again delivered a suspect omnibus bill.  This one included the repeal of sections of the both the Railway Safety Act and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992.  These sections relate specifically to opportunities for Canadians and other interested groups to review and comment on a proposed regulation at the last stages of the regulation process, before it is enacted and published in Part II of the Canada Gazette.  SRC wrote to the Senate Committee on National Finance before its review of the bill.  While we received an official response, the bill still passed.

SRC is committed to our goal, and we will continue to seek out ways to hold our government accountable for the risk these oil tanks present to rail communities across the country.  Please connect with us.

SRC has decided to invite the Transportation Safety Board to share information with us at this meeting, though they likely will not attend without participation from Transport Canada.  However, communicating with the TSB is one way to raise awareness on this issue from a local perspective.  We also wanted to respond to the TSB on the matter of their assessment of Transport Canada’s recent promises to improve rail safety.  SRC supports TSB’s three recommendations of January 23, 2014.  We do not want another tragedy.

MM37.56 Improving Community Safety in Toronto with regards to Dangerous Railway Cargo (Fragedakis, adopted 16July2013)
MM50.39 Safety Concerns regarding the Transportation of Hazardous Materials on CP Rail Line in Toronto (Palacio, adopted 1Apr2014)
MM50.7 Protecting our Neighbourhoods: Safety, Accountability and Transparency on Toronto’s Rail Lines (Matlow, adopted 1Apr2014)
The motion by Councillor Mary Fragedakis (Ward 29, Toronto-Danforth) included a direction to the City Manager and Director, Office of Emergency Management, and all other relevant staff to review railway safety in Toronto. The purpose of this review is to determine whether there is anything the City can do to improve public safety with regards to the transport by rail of hazardous materials through Toronto.

A report on this motion is expected to be released on May 20th in advance of its appearance on the agenda of the May 27th meeting of the Executive Committee.
You can Submit a Comment or Request to Speak on any matter being considered by a committee of Council. On this matter, all Comments can be directed to:

Secretariat Contact Kelly McCarthy
10th floor, West Tower, City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
email: [email protected]
phone: 416-392-4666
fax: 416-392-1879

Safe Rail Communities will be looking out for this report. Join us in submitting a Comment, and let our City Councillors know how important this issue is to us.

Boom video

Video Rail concerns for Junction residents Toronto Star

Podcasts

 Helen Vassilakos Goldhawk_com

In the News

Toronto and Mississauga mayors want dangerous goods off their cities’ rail lines Toronto Star

 Risk assessments on dangerous goods travelling by rail won’t be released Toronto Star

Tories Make Big Cuts To Transport Safety While Touting Safety

Rail carriers keep emergency response plans secret from residents Toronto StarBattle Over Rail Secrecy Intensifies 

Shipping Dangerous Goods: Toronto Mulls Together Rules for Development Along Rail Corridor

Dot -111 Detecting Disaster Spotters Guide 

Toxic Chemicals Crude Oil Radioactive Material Ride the Rails Through Toronto

CN Leakage in US 

TSB Investigation on Lac-Mégantic Disaster

Accidents Surge as Oil Industry Takes the Train

Minister Raitt responds to Transportation Safety Board recommendations following Lac-Mégantic 

Spike in Crude Oil Trains Rumbling Through Heart of Toronto Raises Concerns 

National Energy board to Rule Today on Endbridge’s Line 9 Reversal 

CP Rail Trains Carrying Crude Oil Through Toronto Spark fears 

New Federal Rail Safety Proposal to Tighten Scrutiny of Crude Shipments 

City of Toronto Emergency Plan 

Lac-Mégantic crude oil as explosive as gas, testing reveals

Lac-Mégantic train crash a wake-up call for U.S. rail safety 

Stop Line 9 

Is Bakkan Oil Safe Enough for GTA? 

Oil by rail: If we want better rules, we need better data 

Federal government quietly adopts new rail-safety rules 

Canadian and U.S. safety watchdogs warn of oil-by-rail’s risks in push for tighter rules 

Training for disaster around midtown Toronto rail lines 

Safe Rail Communities (SRC) is a community-based initiative, started in March 2014 by neighbours in Toronto’s West end.

Responding to the alarming increase in DOT-111 rail tanks carrying crude oil and other hazardous materials on the Canadian Pacific rail line that runs through mid-town Toronto, SCR advocates for greater transparency and safeguards with respect to the transportation of crude oil and other hazardous materials along rail lines throughout Canada.

SRC is committed to raising awareness at local, provincial, and national levels. SRC seeks to unite rail communities across Canada around this pressing issue.

Currently, SRC is actively pursuing the attention of all levels of government. SRC is calling for more openness and discussion between government, railway companies, and communities around the transportation of crude oil and other hazardous materials along rail lines throughout Canada.

Refrences: [1] Railway Association of Canada [2] Transportation Safety Board of Canada [3] Transportation Safety Board of Canada [4] Transportation Safety Board of Canada [5] Transport Canada

• Raise awareness about this issue
• Sign the online petition to the Government of Canada and to our City Councillors
• Join our mailing list for notifications and updates

OR download the petitions below to collect signatures in your neighbourhood:

CLICK HERE to download the petition for use in Parkdale/High Park riding (legal size)

CLICK HERE to download the petition for use in Parkdale/High Park riding (letter size)

CLICK HERE to download the petition for use in other ridings (legal size)

CLICK HERE to download the petition for use in other ridings (letter size)