WHEREAS dangerous and hazardous goods are transported by rail through communities daily; AND WHEREAS current legislations historical reporting does not allow first responders to develop accurate, premeditated emergency plans; AND WHEREAS derailments and container corruptions continue to happen across Canada Lac-Megantic, Quebec; Gogoma, Ontario; and Vancouver, British Columbia as newer, safer crude oil tanker design will not be fully integrated until 2025: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM and FCM request the federal government to create a comprehensive national strategy for the rail transportation of dangerous and hazardous goods by 2020, including the following: 1. Mutual cooperation and input from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities National Municipal Rail Safety Working Group, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, as well as the federal government specifically, the Ministries of Transport, Industry, Environment, and Health and all Class 1 Rail Companies Canadian National Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway, and Via Rail Canada; 2. A security-focused, prevention-based reporting structure to allow first responders and key municipal officials information about dangerous and hazardous goods before they pass through their community; 3. Additional funding for first responders in small, rural communities under 10,000 to access training in order to effectively deal with dangerous and hazardous goods spills and container breaches; and 4. A strategy to allow for local governments to induce timely inquiries into infrastructure safety after rail derailments or similar failures.
Minister of Transport I would like to point out that a number of concrete steps have been taken to strengthen railway safety and the transportation of dangerous goods since July 2013. An overview of these measures can be found on Transport Canadas website at: www.tc.gc.caengmediaroominfosheets-menu-7564.html