May 28, 2007

Tim Meisner
Executive Director
Railway Safety Act Review Secretariat
180 Elgin Street, Suite 901
Ottawa , Ontario K2P 2K3

Dear Mr. Meisner:

The Canada Safety Council (CSC), as Canada 's national, not-for-profit safety organization, has a longstanding interest in railway safety. We therefore welcomed Minister Cannon’s announcement last December 14 of a full review of the Railway Safety Act (RSA), with the objective to improve rail safety and promote a safety culture within that industry.

The Safety Management System (SMS) introduced to the railways eight years ago entailed a reduction in regulatory oversight. The years since SMS was put into place have seen an alarming increase in serious rail incidents involving fatalities, injuries, damage to the environment and economic losses.

During a debate in the House of Commons on April 16, the Minister made a comment to the effect that "rail safety has gone down the tube in this country." We believe this comment, unfortunately, does reflect the current situation. To prevent further erosion of railway safety SMS must be critically evaluated, and Transport Canada ’s role as regulator strengthened. The Walkerton, Ontario water tragedy remains a cogent reminder of the importance of regulatory oversight.

The railways are one of Canada 's most important industries. Canadians must be assured that rail safety has not been compromised in the interest of budgetary considerations, profits or expediency. It is false economy to cut back on safety. Costly, preventable catastrophes happen because potential risks in the system are accepted as normal. Safety-related infrastructure cannot be considered a “frill.”

We are confident the Advisory Panel will conduct this important review in an open, independent, and transparent manner, and that the Minister will act upon its findings. Attached is our submission. If you require more information, please contact myself or Emile Therien, CSC’s past president (tel. 613 737-4965 or e-mail emile.therien@hotmail.com).

Sincerely,

Jack Smith
President

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		May 28, 2007 Tim Meisner Executive Director Railway Safety Act Review Secretariat 180 Elgin Street, Suite 901 Ottawa , Ontario K2P 2K3 Dear Mr. Meisner: The Canada Safety Council (CSC), as Canada 's national, not-for-profit safety organization, has a longstanding interest in railway safety. We therefore welcomed Minister Cannon’s announcement last December 14 of a full review of the Railway Safety Act (RSA), with the objective to improve rail safety and promote a safety culture within that industry. The Safety Management System (SMS) introduced to the railways eight years ago entailed a reduction in regulatory oversight. The years since SMS was put into place have seen an alarming increase in serious rail incidents involving fatalities, injuries, damage to the environment and economic losses. During a debate in the House of Commons on April 16, the Minister made a comment to the effect that "rail safety has gone down the tube in this country." We believe this comment, unfortunately, does reflect the current situation. To prevent further erosion of railway safety SMS must be critically evaluated, and Transport Canada ’s role as regulator strengthened. The Walkerton, Ontario water tragedy remains a cogent reminder of the importance of regulatory oversight. The railways are one of Canada 's most important industries. Canadians must be assured that rail safety has not been compromised in the interest of budgetary considerations, profits or expediency. It is false economy to cut back on safety. Costly, preventable catastrophes happen because potential risks in the system are accepted as normal. Safety-related infrastructure cannot be considered a “frill.” We are confident the Advisory Panel will conduct this important review in an open, independent, and transparent manner, and that the Minister will act upon its findings. Attached is our submission. If you require more information, please contact myself or Emile Therien, CSC’s past president (tel. 613 737-4965 or e-mail emile.therien@hotmail.com). Sincerely, Jack Smith President			Reviewing the Railway Safety Act (RSA)