By Adam Berls

stronger rail laws

Northern B.C. MP calling for stronger rail laws on 10th anniversary of Lac-Megantic disaster

Jul 6, 2023 | 3:36 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — 10 years ago today, the Lac-Megantic rail disaster took place in Quebec. The rail disaster killed 47 people and destroyed parts of the community’s downtown.

Back on July 6, 2013, a runaway train with 72 tank cars full of oil derailed and exploded in the center of the small town of Lac-Megantic, resulting in the deadliest rail accident since Confederation in 1867. More than thirty buildings in the town’s centre were destroyed.

The National Transportation Safety Board identified multiple causes for the accident, the primary cause being the train left unattended on a main line. Between 2013 and 2022, over 9200 rail accidents occured, with the incidents killing 559 people.

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach is calling on the federal government to improve rail safety across the country.

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What happened in Lac-Megantic really opened up people’s eyes to the hazards of shipping dangerous goods by rail. Now, here in the northwest, of course, people are keenly aware of the massive increase in the transport of dangerous goods by rail through our communities. I’m in Burns Lake [today], where we see trains coming through all the time with tankers full of propane. So here in the Northwest, I think we really have a responsibility to look carefully at the risks of rail transport and ensure that our communities are protected.” – Taylor Bachrach, MP, Skeena-Bulkley Valley (NDP)

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Twitter: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com