Vaughan Council calls for action on rail safety
Vaughan Council reinforced its commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents by calling for improvements to rail safety across the country.
Council took the opportunity arising from a routine proclamation request submitted by Operation Lifesaver to express its frustration over continuing concerns respecting rail safety. Council felt the issue would generate more attention by not approving the proclamation directly.
A motion put forward by Ward 5 Councillor Alan Shefman at the April 21 Council meeting cited the lack of adequate requirements by the Federal Government to control dangerous goods moving around Canada on trains.
QUOTES
“The safety of our residents is a priority for Council and the opportunity to take proactive safety measures to safeguard against potential crisis is vital. Every day we have trains travelling through our City that transport a variety of goods. A derailment or other disaster would have a devastating impact on our community. It is imperative that we raise awareness about the risks associated with hazardous materials coming through Vaughan.”
-Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
“I initiated this recommendation out of the serious concern over the potential danger our residents may be faced with as a result of a railway accident. I believe that as a City with extensive rail lines passing through it, we must make the point that further measures need to be put in place to ensure our residents are safe. The Federal Government needs to take action to provide greater protection for our community and improve public safety.”
-Ward 5 Councillor Alan Shefman
QUICK FACTS:
- Operation Lifesaver is a national public-rail safety program supported by Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada.
- Rail Safety Week is a public awareness campaign to reduce avoidable accidents, injuries and damage caused by collisions at level crossings or incidents involving trains and citizens.
- Operation Lifesaver educates Canadians about rail safety and their mission is to prevent collisions between trains and motor vehicles. They also work to prevent trespassing incidents that lead to serious injury or death.
- At the April 21 meeting, Council acknowledged the work done by Operation Lifesaver.
- The City of Vaughan is home to one of the largest rail marshalling yards in North America and a significant intermodal facility. These centres result in significant rail traffic travelling through high-density urban areas in the City.