No. Q006/04
For release August 19, 2004

MINISTER OF TRANSPORT TAKES IMMEDIATE 
ACTION FOLLOWING THE DERAILMENT OF 
CANADIAN NATIONAL TRAIN NEAR BEAUMONT

Montreal (Quebec) - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced concrete actions following the derailment of a Canadian National (CN) train near Beaumont.

"Transport Canada takes very seriously any accident that can have an impact on public safety," said Mr. Lapierre. "As a result of this accident, Transport Canada has taken the following measures."

• As a precautionary measure, Transport Canada has issued a Notice and Order under the Railway Safety Act to reduce the speed of trains from 40 to 25 miles per hour (64 to 40 km/h) between mileage 1 and 6 of the Lévis subdivision.
• Transport Canada inspectors are intensifying their inspections of this railway operation to ensure operating conditions are in accordance with the department's regulations.
• Transport Canada is assessing all previous accidents on this CN operation to ensure there are no recurring common problems.
• Transport Canada is also examining the need for a technical soil analysis, including water drainage assessment, in order to evaluate the general track conditions in this area.

"I'm making the commitment to keep appropriate municipalities informed of the results of these assessments," added Mr. Lapierre. "We will continue to work closely with the Transportation Safety Board in its investigation of the causes of this accident."

Canadian National is responsible for ensuring the safety of its operations and for conducting all of their activities in accordance with the established safety rules, regulations and standards, as prescribed by the Railway Safety Act and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992.

Transport Canada is at the scene of the accident to verify that the railway operator followed all the applicable safety laws, regulations and standards. If the department finds that the railway operator did not comply with any laws, regulations or standards, appropriate action will be taken immediately.

Transport Canada is also working with CN representatives to evaluate the need to permanently reduce train speeds at this location or to impose additional measures to make every effort to avoid the recurrence of accidents.

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at  apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.