NOTES FOR A SPEECH BY
HON. LAWRENCE CANNON, M.P., P.C.
MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE
AND COMMUNITIES

TO A
MEDIA CONFERENCE REGARDING
A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH
THE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

OTTAWA
NOVEMBER 15, 2007

Dear friends,

Thank you for joining us today. I am here today with Cliff Mackay, President of the Railway Association of Canada, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that will enhance the security of rail transportation in Canada, and I thank John Marginson, COO of VIA Rail Canada for making this train station available for this ceremony.

The Memorandum of Understanding is one of a series of security measures implemented in the last few years to enhance the security of rail and transit operations. It primarily addresses security of freight rail and complements the security measures being implemented for passenger operations through the Transit-Secure program.

Budget 2006 provided $1.4 million over two years towards a variety of security initiatives, including $254 million for transportation security. Up to $115 million has been set aside for initial measures to enhance the security of Canada's passenger rail and urban transit. In fact, in September, I announced $19 million in direct funding under the third round of the Transit-Secure program. In large urban centres, passenger rail and urban transit operators can use this funding to further enhance their security measures. Other communities can use the funding to develop risk assessment and security plans.

This government knows that we need to work with our partners in the industry, as well as the provinces, territories and municipalities, to provide a secure transportation system for Canadian families, and for an economy that relies upon rail transportation as a source of competitive advantage.

And that is why we are working with our partners to develop a new security framework. But in the meantime, this new MOU will update and upgrade the previous Memorandum of Understanding so that, right away, Canadians will benefit from new security procedures and disciplines.

Our objective is to keep the people and freight moving smoothly across the country while maintaining strong public confidence in the security of our transportation system.

The MOU reflects the core principles of a good security regime, including regular updates to the risk assessments and security plans, drills and exercises, training and awareness, and incident reporting. The government will continue working with RAC and the industry to develop a series of codes of practice around each component of this security regime to ensure consistency and the use of best international practices.

This MOU, then, is an important measure that demonstrates the commitment of everyone involved to increasing the security of Canada's railways.

For example, under this MOU, each railway operator that is a RAC member will prepare a security plan based on risk assessment. These plans will be provided to Transport Canada and each will be reviewed no less than once a year.

Each railway will maintain records that will provide Transport Canada with the assurance that they have fulfilled their obligations.

Each railway will perform drills according to its security plan, and provide me with a summary report. All employees with security responsibilities will be trained before assuming their full responsibilities.

Canada's rail system plays a crucial role in transporting passengers and freight, and our country has benefited from a strong working relationship between Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada.

This relationship covers many diverse issues. In fact, last spring, Cliff Mackay joined the Honourable John Baird and me to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on environmental issues.

But it is very clear that both Transport Canada and the rail industry place the security of the rail system as a top priority, and we look forward to working with RAC as we create a more secure rail system for both passengers and freight.

Thank you.