Canada's hands-off approach to regulating rail safety is killing workers

In response to today's Transportation Safety Board of Canada's report, NDP Transport Critic Taylor Bachrach (Skeena–Bulkley Valley) made the following statement:

"On a cold winter day in 2019, Dylan Paradis, Daniel Waldenberger-Bulmer and Andrew Dockrell climbed on board a locomotive parked on a hill near Field, British Columbia. Minutes later, the brakes failed, the train ran away down the mountain, and the three men plunged to their death. Leaving their families and their communities devastated by their loss.

Today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released a damning report on that accident, saying CP Rail didn't listen to workers' safety concerns and that the company was failing to keep workers safe.

The workers submitted hazard reports warning about braking issues like the one that caused this accident, and these hazard reports were unaddressed by CP Rail.

It's clear that CP Rail and CN are not doing enough to protect workers in Canada and this government has a responsibility to protect workers and our communities from further accidents. This government's hands-off approach to regulating rail safety is killing railroaders. The Liberal government needs to stand up to big rail companies and protect workers’ lives.

Canadian workers deserve so much better. New Democrats will continue to fight for workers and their safety."

Today in Question Period, Bachrach asked the Minister to act. See his question here.