WATCH: Transport Canada has now unveiled new rules requiring shippers to use thicker hulled car, but the rules don’t kick in for another decade. Eric Sorensen reports.
TORONTO – Transport Canada is proposing a further upgrade to rail tanker cars that haul flammable materials across the country.
In the past month, four trains carrying crude oil have derailed in Canada and the United States, sparking major fires, polluting waterways and forcing some evacuations.
There have been three recent CN Rail derailments in northern Ontario, including two along a stretch of track about an hour south of Timmins, near the village of Gogama.
Get daily National news
READ MORE: Ottawa defends rail safety efforts after fiery derailment in Ontario
A CN train also derailed Wednesday evening near the Manitoba community of Gregg, about 50 kilometres east of Brandon. CN spokesman Brent Kossey said there were no reports of injuries but provided no information on what cargo was in the derailed cars.
The latest proposals revealed Wednesday would build on new standards announced last July and require shippers to upgrade tank cars to a standard called TC-117 by 2025.
- B.C. First Nations explore if nuclear power could meet province’s electricity needs
- Hoekstra says Trump serious about tariff threat over wildfire smoke
- Ontario PC MPPs who spent big on hotels face questions as minister resigns
- 2 Saskatchewan research farms to stay open as province enters MOU with Ottawa
The latest upgrades call for improved shields at the top of the tank car to better cover the pressure release valve from damage in a derailment. A full shield to protect either end of a tank car from puncture would also become mandatory.
READ MORE: Crews still working to douse flames of derailed CN train in northern Ontario
A thermal shell to better shield tank cars from fire would also become mandatory and steel used to build the cars would be thickened to 9/16th of an inch from 7/16ths.
The proposed regulations do not cover improved braking requirements. Transport Canada says technical discussions continue with the U.S. to achieve a harmonized set of standards.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.