Talks around the transport of dangerous goods via rail were started yesterday (Tuesday) by Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP and NDP Transport Critic Taylor Bachrach.
The focus is on whether communities are adequately set up to deal with a potential disaster should a train be derailed or a rail car is damaged.
“This has been a long-standing concern for folks in northwest BC where we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the volume of dangerous goods being transported through our communities along the rail line,” said Bachrach.
He says while questioning top officials from Transport Canada at the hearing on the issue, they were unable to provide answers.
Two of those questions were around communities’ ability to evacuate quick enough should an event happen, and if municipal water supplies are sufficient to avoid disastrous scenarios.
“When I talk to small communities and first nations who have the rail line running right through their communities, they have some concerns, and the federal government has a fundamental responsibility to ensure that people are safe.” Bachrach said.
In March of 2020, seven rail cars carrying liquefied petroleum gas derailed just outside Prince George in Giscome, which caused an elementary school to be evacuated and closed for several days.
No fire or explosion resulted from the incident.
“Luckily, we haven’t had one of these big fires involving a product like liquid propane, but I think the responsible thing to do is ask these questions before something bad happens,” he said.
Another incident in 2018 saw several rail cars filled with coal derail near New Hazelton.
“When you’re talking about multiple train cars full of products like propane, the worst-case scenarios are quite horrific, so we need to ensure that those first responders that dedicate their lives to protecting their neighbours have adequate tools to respond,” said Bachrach.
He adds these talks are to ensure policies, regulations, and resources are in place before a worst-case scenario happens.
“Too often, we’ve seen that government policy only happens when bad things happen,” Bachrach said.
Tomorrow (Thursday), testimony from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs will be heard by the federal transport committee with talks continuing in late January.
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