Representatives from the federal Fund for Railway Accidents Involving Designated Goods will be attending the 2019 UBCM Convention, and are seeking to provide information about the Fund to communities located near a railway.
Following the 2013 derailment in Lac-Mégantic, the federal government strengthened the liability and compensation regime for rail accidents involving crude oil. This led to the Fund for Railway Accidents Involving Designated Goods being established in 2016, under the Canada Transportation Act. The compensation regime is based on the principle that federally regulated railways carrying crude oil are strictly liable for damages.
In the event of a major crude oil accident where the damages surpass the railway company’s required insurance coverage, the Fund would provide compensation to victims for all remaining costs.
Local governments interested in discussing the Fund may visit Booth 903 during the Convention Trade Show or contact Jannie Bédard Guillemette, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Officer to set up a meeting.