Adopted by Executive Committee members - June 30th 1999

In attendance:

• Faye Ackermans (Canadian Pacific)
• Gary Mitton (Canadian National)
• Mike Regimbal (VIA Rail)
• Jean Tierney (VIA Rail)
• Mike Lowenger (Railway Association of Canada)
• Benoît Lévesque (Operation Lifesaver)
• Mark Meana (AMTRAK)
• Gary Housch (Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees)
• George Hucker (Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers)
• Don Anderson (Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers)
• Don Slaunwhite (United Transportation Union (UTU))
• Brian McDonagh (Canadian Automobile Workers (CAW))
• Bill Tucker (Transportation Safety Board of Canada)
• Bill Worona (Human Resources Development Canada)
• Nancy Belding (Department of Transportation, New Brunswick)
• Joe Bucik (Ministry of Transportation, Ontario)
• Mark Ayton (Ministry of Transportation, Ontario)
• Larry Choma (Department of Transportation and Utilities, Alberta)
• Bernard Royer (Transports Québec)
• John Coleman (National Research Council)
• Russ Robinson (Environment Canada)
• Ian Spear (Canadian Transportation Agency)
• Ted Gowan (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• Bert Titcomb (Transport 2000 Canada)
• Benoît Basillais (Canadian Federation of Agriculture)
• Émile Thérien (Canada Safety Council)
• Peter McGuire (Canadian Association of Railway Suppliers)
• Graham Cooper (Canadian Trucking Alliance)

For Transport Canada

• David Collenette (Minister)
• Margaret Bloodworth (Deputy Minister)
• Ron Jackson (Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security)
• Terry Burtch (Consultative Committee Chair and Rail Safety, Director General)
• Gordon Chapman (Director, Legislation & Program Development)
• Edgar Ladouceur (Director, Safety Programs)
• Don Pulciani (Director, Operations and Emergency Preparedness)
• Peter Birtwistle (Chief, Health, Safety and Security)
• Mike Coghlan (Director, Engineering)
• Raymond Robitaille (National Administrator, Public Education and Awareness)
• Paul Lepage (Senior Advisor, Equipment Branch)
• Micheline Lefrançois (Project Leader, Consultative Committee)
• Karrie Sandford (Assistant, Consultative Committee)
• Richard Hobart (Facilitator for TC)

Words of Welcome from the Chair

Terry Burtch, Committee Chair, welcomed all in attendance to the first meeting of the Railway Safety Consultative Committee.

Mr. Burtch recalled that the Words of Welcome from the Chair Terry Burtch, Committee Chair, welcomed all in attendance to the first meeting of the Railway Safety Consultative Committee. Mr. Burtch recalled that the Railway Safety Consultative Committee (RSCC) was created as part of the review of the Rail Safety Programs and the amendments to the Railway Safety Act (Bill C-58). Bill C-58 was given assent in March, 1999 and will come into effect in June 1999. 

He noted that the revision of the Bill followed extensive consultations with the railway industry, unions and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. RSCC grew out of a desire to create an advisory body that would provide a forum for discussion about railway safety. 

Mr. Burtch reviewed the agenda for the meeting, which included addresses by the Minister and Deputy Minister, the mandate and organization of the RSCC, and the roles and responsibilities of the Committee members. 

Remarks by Deputy Minister

Margaret Bloodworth, Deputy Minister of Transport Canada, stressed the importance of the establishment of the RSCC and its anticipated benefits. Mrs. Bloodworth said one of the key factors that will determine whether the RSCC is successful is the extent to which the members work as a team, whatever their own interests may be. 

The Deputy Minister noted that the establishment of the RSCC is a demonstration of Transport Canada’s commitment to carry on an open and frank dialogue about railway safety in Canada.

History of Railway Safety Consultative Activities 

Gordon Chapman, Director of Legislation & Program Development, summarized the history of consultative activities and the lessons learned from those experiences. Activities since the 1970s included working groups, legislative review, and public consultations. 

Mr. Burtch congratulated Mr. Chapman for his excellent work on the revision of Bill C-58, and wished him every success in his new position at Industry Canada, where he will be working on the Millenium project. 

Mandate of Railway Safety Consultative Committee (RSCC)

Richard Hobart acted as facilitator for the first meeting. Attendees were asked to comment on the draft mandate, which listed the objectives, scope, structure and organization, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the members. 

The mandate and objectives elicited numerous comments. Details were inserted in the mandate to reflect the addition of an environmental component. 

With regards to the objectives, several questions were raised about the role of the RSCC with respect to existing consultative mechanisms. It was mentioned that the RSCC will make its recommendations to the Minister of Transport. The RSCC is a committee that encourages a more coordinated consultative function. The Minister of Transport can make representations to other forums. 

It was also agreed that issues raised before the RSCC can relate to rules, regulations, or any other matter related to railway safety. 

The structure of the RSCC is as follows: Plenary Committee, Executive Committee, and Working Groups.

• The Plenary Committee is composed of RSCC members representing the railway industry, unions, and federal, provincial and municipal governments, and meetings shall be held twice a year. The Chair of the Plenary Committee is the Director General, Rail Safety,Transport Canada. 
• The Executive Committee is made up of 8 to 10 persons representing all groups: the railway industry, unions and governments. The Director General, Rail Safety will also be the Chair of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will consider, among other things, proposals for the creation of working groups. 
• Working Groups are to be chaired by Transport Canada. The matters to be considered and the composition of working groups are to be proposed to the Executive Committee. 

Conclusion of first day
Address by the Minister, the Honourable David Collenette

In Minister Collenette’s address to the RSCC, he reiterated that he wanted to put in place a consultative mechanism for railway safety.

The Minister said the creation of the RSCC is further evidence of the importance of safety and efficiency in Canada’s rail transportation system.

Mr. Collenette also discussed the role of the Government at the national and international level, and emphasized the importance of protectiong the environment and recognizing the various rail transportation initiatives to come.

He indicated he was relying on the ongoing work of the RSCC to set the agenda for rail transportation safety and substantiality in Canada. 

Second day
Continuation of discussions on RSCC mandate

The Committee reviewed the mandate as amended on the first day. Further amendments were made to the mandate and it was accepted by the RSCC (copy attached).

Regulatory actions relating to railway safety

Mr. Robitaille of Transport Canada gave an overview of the Department’s ongoing regulatory activities.

Regarding the regulations respecting level crossings, currently under revision, he said consultations will be held by a working group to be created in future.

Mr. Robitaille indicated that regulations respecting train whistles are to be amended. Some members were of the view that these regulations should be revised separately from the regulations respecting level crossings so that the revision process can be completed sooner. Transport Canada stated that they would take the suggestion into consideration.

Working groups could also hold consultations on the regulations with respect to trespass prevention and safety management systems. 

Presentations on member activities

Part of the meeting agenda was devoted to presentations by Committee members.

A presentation was given by Russ Robinson, representing Environment Canada, on environmental concerns. He advised the Committee that a workshop entitled "The Railway Industry and the Environment – 1999" will be held in Winnipeg on 21-23 June 1999. Brochures were made available to Committee members.

Another presentation was made by Mike Lowenger, Vice-President of the Railway Association of Canada, on the Association and its activities. 

Upcoming events and adjournment

1. Formation of Executive Committee

The RSCC members agreed that the next step would be to form an Executive Committee. Mr. Burtch requested that members nominate representatives within the next few weeks. The first meeting of the Executive Committee is to be held in June 1999, depending on the members’ schedules. The Executive Committee would review priorities for the creation of working groups and discuss the agenda of the next RSCC.

The Director General of Rail Safety is in charge of the setting up and the ongoing scheduling of the Executive Committee.

2. Next RSCC meeting

The next meeting of the Railway Safety Consultative Committee is scheduled for September or October 1999. Members will be notified at least one month in advance.

Closing remarks by RSCC Chair

Terry Burtch thanked all who attended the first RSCC meeting. He asked everyone in attendance to complete a survey so that they could express their level of satisfaction with the first meeting as well as offer any suggestions regarding organization. A summary of the answers given on the survey is attached.

Terry Burtch, P.Eng.
Chair
RSCC

Micheline Lefrançois
Project Leader
RSCC

May 14,1999