CN’s recent troubles has NDP calling for inquiry into safety

With the Prince George derailment just the latest problem for CN rail, the provincial NDP are calling for a public inquiry into the troubles the railway is having.

The Daily News featured details of the NDP call for action in Wednesday’s paper.

B.C. NDP call for rail enquiry
By Christian Webber
The Daily News
Wednesday, August 08, 2007

The provincial NDP is demanding a public inquiry into safety on CN Rail in B.C. after a derailment and explosion in Prince George over the weekend.

The inquiry is part of a five-point plan being presented by New Democrat transportation critic David Chudnovsky to improve safety on the railway.

David Chudnovsky, MLA from Vancouver-Kensington, also the opposition critic for transportation, spoke from Vancouver about his five-point plan and new policy announcement yesterday.

"We all know that this is one of a series of problems that we face in this province. Almost exactly two years ago the Cheakamus accident took place.

"Last summer two CN workers were killed in Lillooet," said Chudnovsky.

He said that there have been dozens of other problems and derailments that have gone unreported so he is making public the new five-point plan to improve CN Rail safety.

"I thought it was very important that we move forward and get the situation to become better rather than continue with the ongoing fate of derailment," said Chudnovsky.

The first of his five-point plan that he believes will improve rail safety is to call on the government to make public any and all records of talks between CN and the B.C. government at the time of the sale of B.C. Rail to CN.

"Any and all discussions that took place at that time with respect to safety, maintenance and environmental protection," said Chudnovsky.

The second point was to call on the government urgently to pass whistle blower legislation, which will allow for and encourage employees of CN to come forward with information that they have regarding safety concerns and maintenance concerns.

"I have spoken with dozens of CN employees over the last two years, many of them talk about the problems in Prince George but they are afraid for their job.

"We think that has to stop, they are the ones with the wisdom and experience to help and improve the situation in B.C.," said Chudnovsky.

Number three is to call on the government to compel CN in providing to the Provincial Government all of their safety and maintenance records with respect to the running of the railroad in B.C.

Fourth is to ask the government to require that CN report regularly and publicly to the people of B.C. the improvement which they are making in safety and maintenance procedures on the rail way.

"Their explanations are unacceptable to British Columbians, the situation continues to be critical," said Chudnovsky.

The last point of the plan is to call on the government to call a full public inquiry into safety, maintenance and environmental protection standards with respect to CN and CN's operation in B.C. since the sale of B.C Rail.

"We see these as concrete and practical steps to improving the safety situation with CN in the province," said Chudnovsky.

He said the province has a railway operation in B.C. that has been absolutely unacceptable over the last number of years, and a government that has been making excuses for CN.

"These are very doable points that will make CN more accountable, make information more transparent and importantly make British Columbians Railways safer," said Chudnovsky.