Communiqués

TSB # C01/2005

THE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD OF CANADA TO MAKE PUBLIC ITS ASSESSMENTS OF RESPONSES TO RECOMMENDATIONS

(Gatineau, Quebec, November 22, 2005) - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today began making public its assessments of responses to TSB recommendations from industry and government made after January 1, 2005, by publishing them on its website.

"We have asked our stakeholders to tell us how we could improve the quality of information that we provide to them; posting our assessments of responses to recommendations answers a need that they have identified," said Charles Simpson, Acting Chairman of the TSB. "It also underscores TSB's commitment to openness and transparency in all aspects of its operations."

During the course of a typical year, approximately 4000 occurrences are reported to the TSB, 110 in-depth investigations are undertaken and between 10 and 20 recommendations are made with the goal of advancing transportation safety in Canada and internationally.

In accordance with the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act, a federal minister who is notified of a Board recommendation must, within 90 days, advise the Board in writing of any action taken or proposed to be taken in response or the reasons for not taking action. The Board considers each response, assessing the extent to which the related safety deficiency is addressed by the proposed/completed action.

When a recommendation generates responses from within and outside Canada, the Board's assessment is based primarily on the Canadian response. The web postings include the original TSB recommendation, the response received, the detailed TSB assessment, and an overall rating of the adequacy of the response. These documents are available on our website.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

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