No. H 038/07
For release March 30, 2007

RAILWAY SAFETY ACT REVIEW
CONSULTATION GUIDANCE DOCUMENT RELEASED

OTTAWA -- The Railway Safety Act Review Advisory Panel today released a Consultation Guidance Document to help stakeholders participate in the public consultation process.

The document contains background information on railway safety in Canada, as well as questions designed to focus stakeholder input. The document will help ensure that consultations address key issues, while providing stakeholders with an opportunity to bring forward their views on additional issues that may need to be considered.

Beginning in April 2007, the panel will travel to selected cities across Canada to consult with stakeholders, including the public, railway companies and their industry associations, railway company employees and their unions, railway customers (e.g., travellers and shippers) and their associations, the provinces and territories, municipalities, aboriginal and environmental groups, and federal government departments and agencies. Consultations will conclude in August 2007.

On December 14, 2006, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities announced a full review of the Railway Safety Act. An advisory panel, composed of the Honourable Doug Lewis (Chair), Mr. Pierre-André Côté, Mr. Martin Lacombe, and Mr. Gary Moser, is leading the review.

The panel will prepare a report for the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities with findings and recommendations to improve railway safety, including possible amendments to the Railway Safety Act. The report is to be submitted to the Minister by autumn 2007.

For more information about the Railway Safety Act Review, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/tcss/RSA_Review-Examen_LSF/.

To view the Consultation Guidance Document, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/tcss/RSA_Review-Examen_LSF/guidance_doc_e.htm.

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