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| 2009 Archives |
December 30, 2009 |
RAC News |
| Year in Review - Canada’s Railways Hope For Better Results in 2010 | |
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Ottawa -- After a bumpy run through 2009 as the global economic slowdown cut into the demand for freight movement, Canada’s freight and passenger railways are looking forward, with hope, to better results in 2010. Cliff Mackay, President and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada said: “From all signs, the decline in freight rail traffic hit bottom during this summer and has begun to rebound. It may take a couple of years for the business to rebuild to the peaks of the mid-2000’s.” For VIA Rail and the country’s commuter rail operators, 2009 brought needed financial injections from government that will help set them on the right track to meet the expectations of their growing number of customers. Inter-city, commuter and tourist traffic totaled 72.3 million passengers in 2008, and is still growing.” |
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December 23, 2009 |
Member News |
| CN Board of Directors recognizes outgoing President and CEO, E. Hunter Harrison | |
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MONTREAL - Mr. Harrison to retire from the company and its board of directors on Dec. 31, 2009. David G. A. McLean, chairman of the board of directors of CN, today acknowledged the remarkable career of CN's outgoing president and chief executive officer E. Hunter Harrison. "On behalf of CN's board of directors, I would like to thank Hunter for the outstanding leadership and service that he has provided to this company. His innovative Precision Railroading model and tireless dedication has led to the creation of a great North American railroad and will leave this company well positioned for future success," said McLean. "As Hunter prepares to step down from the company and from its board of directors, we extend our profound gratitude for what he has accomplished, and our best wishes for the future." |
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December 23, 2009 |
RAC News |
| Winter 2010 Edition of Interchange | |
 The 2010 Winter edition of the RAC’s quarterly magazine Interchange is now available.
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| more | |
December 21, 2009 |
Dangerous Goods News |
| 2010 RAC DG Team Rates Published | |
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Dear BOE members, Please note that there will be ‘’no increase’’ in service fees provided by the RAC for plant inspections, and training services in 2010. The US exchange rate allows the RAC to maintain very competitive service fees and are in line with the Bureau of Explosives. Contact Information: Mr. Andy Ash Director, Dangerous Goods Phone: (905) 953-8991 |
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Document(s): Click here to download the document in PDF (115 KB) |
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December 21, 2009 |
Member News |
| Appointment to VIA Rail Canada Inc. | |
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Transport Canada Press Release OTTAWA, ONT - Canada's Transport Minister John Baird and the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport), today announced the appointment of Mr. Marc Laliberte, of Boucherville, Quebec, as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of VIA Rail Canada Inc. for a term of four years, effective January 4, 2010. "I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Laliberte to the position of president and CEO," said Baird. "VIA Rail provides a vital service to link our communities and I am confident that Mr. Laliberte's extensive experience in rail and business will be a great asset to the corporation." "I am delighted that Mr. Laliberte has agreed to assume the leadership of VIA Rail Canada Inc.," said Minister Merrifield. "His extensive experience as a senior executive will prove invaluable to the corporation." |
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| more | |
December 16, 2009 |
RAC News |
| Listen to Comments on High Speed Rail by Cliff Mackay, President and CEO, Railway Association of Canada | |
 High speed rail service in Canada would be great for travelers and provide a massive boost for the local economy with local jobs and improved tax revenues. It also brings all sorts of new industrial, commercial and residential development. The federal, Ontario and Quebec governments are to deliver a report on the issue early in the new year. Click Here |
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December 16, 2009 |
RAC News |
| Blue Flag Guide for Mechanical Employees (RAC Best Practice Circular No. 12) | |
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Effective January 1, 2010. These procedures are recommended for use on Railways operating in Canada. Workers must familiarize themselves with individual railway policies as they may be more restrictive than these minimum requirements. Contact Information: Mr. Kevin McKinnon Director Regulatory Affairs and Policy Liaison Phone: (613) 564-8101 |
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Document(s): Click here to download the circular in PDF (128 KB) |
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December 15, 2009 |
Member News |
| Metrolinx acquires full ownership of Toronto-Barrie rail commuter corridor | |
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Metrolinx today purchased from CN the lower portion of the Newmarket Subdivision in central- north Toronto for $68 million. The transaction gives Metrolinx end-to-end ownership of the 60-mile-long Barrie-Bradford GO Train corridor between downtown Toronto and Barrie, ON - a first for the government transit agency. (CNW Group) |
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December 3, 2009 |
RAC Press Release |
| RAC Marks 90th Anniversary | |
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OTTAWA -- The Railway Association of Canada marked the 90th anniversary of its founding this week, on Dec. 1. Its predecessors, the Canadian Railway Association for National Defence and the Canadian Railway War Board, were created in the fall of 1917 to expedite the flow of freight cars back from the United States to help the Canadian war effort during the first world war. “The concept worked exceptionally well, and the volunteer, national board continued to coordinate related industrial activities after the war,” said Cliff Mackay, the RAC’s President and CEO. Today, the RAC represents 54 freight and passenger railways, which move 75 per cent of surface freight and transport 72 million passengers by rail annually, and 40 associate members. Media Contact: Roger Cameron 613-564-8097 rogerc@railcan.ca |
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December 1, 2009 |
RAC Press Release |
| Canadian Railways Carried More Passengers, Less Freight Last Year | |
 Ottawa – Canada’s railways carried 72.3 million passengers in 2008, an increase of 6.5 per cent over 2007, and others hauled 237.3 billion revenue ton miles of freight, down 4.2 per cent, during the year. The information is in the new Railway Trends publication issued today by the industry association.Cliff Mackay, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Railway Association of Canada, said: “Canada’s railways are an economic engine for the economy. The country’s strength as an export-oriented trading nation depends on a stable investment environment necessary for future Canadian growth.” |
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| more (this posting has attachments available) | |
November 28, 2009 |
Member News |
| CP announces industry-leading biodiesel testing underway | |
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Calgary, Alberta - Canadian Pacific (and Natural Resources Canada have partnered on an industry-leading biodiesel fuel pilot project under the National Renewable Diesel Demonstration Initiative, announced Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, and Fred Green, Canadian Pacific President and CEO, today. It is the first time biodiesel will be used in Canadian cold-weather rail service. "The Government of Canada is working closely with industry partners like Canadian Pacific to support the use of renewable diesel in the Canadian fuel market," said Mr. Richardson. "Our Government is investing over $800,000 in this important step forward to help reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions." |
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November 24, 2009 |
Miscellaneous |
| CP Holiday Train Food Drive | |
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TORONTO - Food Banks Canada and Canadian Pacific will provide a special media availability for Toronto and National media with the Holiday Train entertainers in the CP Toronto Rail Yard Tuesday, December 1. The Holiday Train is North America's largest rolling mobile food and fundraiser, calling on 140 communities this year. About the Holiday Train: The Holiday Train is a freight train covered in more than 200,000 bright lights. At 140 stops across Canada and United States, Canadian Pacific provides a box car stage, a line up of great musical talent and a corporate contribution to the local food bank. Food banks provide collection bins for non-perishable food. Communities, in turn, donate food and funds, all of which stays in the community. The Holiday Train has raised $4 million and 2 million pounds of food. Full schedules and background information are available at www.cpr.ca by clicking on the Holiday Train. The event is the only time both the Canadian and American Holiday Trains meet during this year's tour. |
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| more | |
November 11, 2009 |
Dangerous Goods News |
| Congratulations RAC DG Team | |
 In 2009, the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Dangerous Goods Team.With the growth of the Shortline Railways on the railway scene in Canada during the 1990’s, ( the RAC currently has 52 member railways), a decision was made within the RAC Board of Directors that it was time for the RAC to expand its scope with a priority to promote and continually improve the safe handling of dangerous goods. |
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| more | |
November 8, 2009 |
Miscellaneous |
| Canadians overwhelmingly support high-speed rail: poll | |
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By Mike De Souza, Canwest News Service November 8, 2009 OTTAWA - Canadians overwhelmingly support high-speed rail and believe the federal government should provide the startup funding as well as investments on an ongoing basis, concludes a new poll. The survey, conducted by EKOS for the Railway Association of Canada, found that 86 per cent of Canadians would strongly or somewhat support the introduction of high-speed trains in the country. Only nine per cent said they would be opposed. |
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November 2, 2009 |
Miscellaneous |
| North American High Speed Rail Summit | |
 Ottawa - Speakers at the conference: Rod Diridon, Mineta Transportation Institute and Denis Briere, President and Rector, Laval University.
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Document(s): Click here to download the photograph in JPEG (48 KB) |
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October 26, 2009 |
RAC News |
| Fall Edition of Interchange | |
 The 2009 Fall edition of the RAC’s quarterly magazine Interchange is now available.
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| more | |
October 22, 2009 |
Member News |
| RAC 2009 Safety Award - CP | |
 James Cunningham, vice-president of Mechanical Services and Operations Risk Management for Canadian Pacific and Kevin Sholes, Manager of Health and Safety Programs for the railway received the Safety Award for 2009 from Cliff Mackay, RAC President and CEO in Calgary this week during the industry’s annual meeting, trade show and research conference. |
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Document(s): Click here to download the photograph in JPEG (53 KB) |
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October 22, 2009 |
Member News |
| RAC 2009 Safety Award - GO Transit (Metrolinx) | |
 Mike Cyr, Director of Rail Services for GO Transit received the RAC’s 2009 Safety Award from President and CEO Cliff Mackay for their installation of 100 defibrillators across the commuter system’s network in southern Ontario under a public-private partnership with the Mikey Network and the Toronto EMS Cardiac Safe City program.
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Document(s): Click here to download the photograph in JPEG (53 KB) |
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October 22, 2009 |
Member News |
| RAC 2009 Environment Award - CN | |
 CN received the 2009 environment award in the freight category for a GHG Model Shift Protocol that assesses the benefits of shifting freight transportation from truck to rail. Paul Miller, Chief Safety and Transportation Officer received the award from RAC President and CEO Cliff Mackay.
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Document(s): Click here to download the photograph in JPEG (57 KB) |
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October 22, 2009 |
Member News |
| RAC 2009 Environment Award - VIA Rail | |
 Keith Moulton, VIA Rail Canada’s former Director, Marketing and Development, received the industry’s environment award in the passenger category for creating Enviro Expo awards for high school students across Canada in cooperation with Youth Science Canada, VIA employees, teachers and the public.
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Document(s): Click here to download the photograph in JPEG (54 KB) |
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October 22, 2009 |
Member News |
| RAC 2009 Safety Award Honourable Mention - Central Manitoba Railway | |
 Lee Jebb, vice-president of the Central Manitoba short line’s railway operations, received an honorable mention from RAC President and CEO Cliff Mackay during the association’s annual meeting this week in Calgary. CMR had conducted a week of emergency preparedness training and initiatives for staff and their partners in the community.
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Document(s): Click here to download the photograph in JPEG (55 KB) |
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October 20, 2009 |
RAC News |
| 2008 Annual Report | |
 The Railway Association of Canada’s 2008 Annual Report, now available on our website, highlights the efforts by members, partners and stakeholders to take on more growth, greater workloads, and new initiatives to help sustain rail’s added value to the Canadian economy.
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| more (this posting has attachments available) | |
October 20, 2009 |
Miscellaneous |
| Globe and Mail Special Supplement: All Aboard | |
 Backed by surging public interest and investments, a new era of passenger rail is taking shape in Canada, one that proponents say is a boon to the environment and the economy.For urban commuters and intercity travellers, the train is once again becoming the way to go. VIA Rail and the country’s major transit systems have reported steady increases in riders during the last few years and are responding with more services and new and rejuvenated trains. |
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Document(s): Click here to download the Globe and Mail Supplement in PDF (1.7MB) |
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October 19, 2009 |
RAC Press Release |
| Safety and Environment Awards Won by Railway Employees | |
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CALGARY, ALBERTA -- VIA Rail Canada and CN have won the Railway Association of Canada’s 2009 environmental awards for passenger and freight railways in the country. GO Transit and Canadian Pacific won the industry’s safety awards, and short line operator Central Manitoba Railway received an honorable mention. The awards were presented during the RAC’s annual general meeting, trade show and research conference in Calgary. Cliff Mackay, President and CEO of the association, said: “The awards program encourages excellence in employee performance and shares best work practices throughout society.” The RAC represents some 50 freight and passenger railways in Canada and encourages workers to adopt safe, environmental practices and operational techniques. |
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October 19, 2009 |
RAC Press Release |
| Railway Hall of Fame Recognizes the Industry’s Performers | |
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CALGARY, ALBERTA – A railway leader, heroes, community and modern technology were inducted into the Canadian Railway Hall of Fame today in Calgary at the industry’s annual general meeting and tradeshow. Cliff Mackay, RAC President and CEO, said: “The industry is part of the nation’s present and future, as well as its past.” Canada’s railways transport 75 per cent of surface freight in the country, 68 million passengers annually and generate only three per cent of transport’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Railway Hall of Fame was created in 2002 by the Railway Association of Canada with the support of its 50 member railways, the Canadian Northern Society of Alberta and the Canadian Association of Railway Suppliers. Since then, almost 100 nominees have been inducted on its website at www.railfame.ca. |
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October 1, 2009 |
Member News |
| CP announces 2009 Holiday Train campaign | |
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Canadian Pacific's brightly decorated Holiday Train returns to the rails in late November, raising food, money and awareness for food banks across North America. Last year, the Holiday Train helped raise more than $500,000 and 250,000 lbs of food and there is greater need this year. "Canadian Pacific is proud to support communities where we operate, raising more than $4 million in funds and two million pounds of food in the Holiday Train's first decade," said CP President and CEO Fred Green. "Each year, the Holiday Train's message gets stronger and the impact on our employees and in communities becomes more meaningful." |
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July 21, 2009 |
RAC News |
| Summer Edition of Interchange | |
 The Summer edition of the RAC’s quarterly magazine Interchange is now available.
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July 16, 2009 |
Member News |
| VIA and feds announce passenger rail improvement project | |
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Today, the Government of Canada and VIA announced $300 million dollars in support for the largest-ever improvement and investment program in the 153-year history of passenger rail service between Montreal and Toronto: VIA's CN Kingston Subdivision Project. "It gives me great pleasure to unveil this strategic investment in the upgrading of the Montreal-Toronto main line, which is the heart of the Canadian passenger rail system," said Minister of State for Science and Technology, Gary Goodyear, on behalf of Minister of State for Transport, Rob Merrifield. "This project, announced through Canada's Economic Action Plan, will create new jobs and expand passenger rail service in this important transportation corridor." VIA's CN Kingston Subdivision Project is a series of infrastructure improvements at eight locations along the 539-kilometre, double-track rail line. It will boost capacity by eliminating bottlenecks and greatly reducing delay-causing conflicts between VIA passenger and CN freight trains. Phase I of the project will allow for the addition of two daily roundtrip frequencies on VIA's Toronto-Montreal and Toronto-Ottawa routes. The latter operates over the Kingston Subdivision between Toronto and Brockville.
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July 8, 2009 |
RAC Press Release |
| Railway Association of Canada (RAC) Congratulates the Governments of Canada and New Brunswick for Investing in Short Line Rail Infrastructure | |
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Ottawa - The Railway Association of Canada wishes to congratulate the Governments of Canada and New Brunswick in partnering with New Brunswick Southern Railway to invest up to $18 million in rail infrastructure. New Brunswick Southern Railway will match the funding provided by the two levels of government. The federal investment will come from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF). “The federal and New Brunswick Governments clearly recognize the importance of short line railways to the provincial and national economies” said Cliff Mackay, President and CEO, of the Railway Association of Canada. “The RAC encourages other provinces to partner with the federal government and short line railways to invest in short line infrastructure”. |
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June 29, 2009 |
RAC News |
| New Rules Respecting Minimum Qualification Standards for Railway Employees | |
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The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities has recently approved the new Employee Qualification Rule. The new rule applies to any occupational category and any railway position directly engaged in the movement or control of equipment in yard service or on main track. It also applies to railway employees authorized to operate cranes or other machines moving equipment. This rule will eventually replace the Railway Employee Qualification Standard Regulations, CTC 1987‐3 (SOR/87‐150) once it has been repealed. The official name of the new rule will be Rules Respecting Minimum Qualification Standards for Railway Employees. Contact Information: Mr. Kevin McKinnon Director Regulatory Affairs and Policy Liaison The Railway Association of Canada Phone: (613) 564-8101 |
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Document(s): Click here to download the document in PDF (132 KB) |
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June 17, 2009 |
Dangerous Goods News |
| Amended TDG Act comes into force | |
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The amendments to the 1992 Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act have gone through the House of Commons and have received Royal Assent. Highlights of the Act include Security aspects and Emergency Response Assistance Plan improvements. The amended Act has come into force as of June 16, 2009. Please see the attached Transport Canada news release for more details. Contact Information: J.A. (Andy) Ash, Director, Dangerous Goods The Railway Association of Canada Toronto, Ontario, Canada 905-953-8991 www.railcan.ca |
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Document(s): Click here to download the document in PDF (312 KB) |
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June 5, 2009 |
Dangerous Goods News |
| First RAC Railway Emergency Response course at the JIBC complete | |
 From June 1 to 5, first responders and shippers attended the RAC's Dangerous Goods team "Railway Emergency Response" course at the Justice Institute of British Columbia in Maple Ridge, BC.30 students from all over Canada and one from the US learned the skills needed to safely and effectively respond to a dangerous goods incident in railway transport. The program, developed by the RAC DG Team, exposes the students to Incident Command, Site Assessment techniques, tank car valving and damage assessment, leak repair, product characteristics, flaring and transferring. |
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| more (this posting has attachments available) | |
June 5, 2009 |
Miscellaneous |
| FAQ on the Conversion of Railway Radio Communication to Narrowband Technology | |
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In the past two decades, the use and demand for telecommunications in North America has experienced unprecedented growth. Because of this growth, wireless communication has faced some physical limitations. There are an absolute number of frequencies physically available in the radio spectrum. Government regulatory bodies managing the use of the wireless spectrum are faced with burgeoning demand for radio frequencies from various users. Industry Canada and the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a rule making the conversion to narrowband mandatory for certain portions of the radio spectrum. This conversion is essentially a process of splitting each traditional wideband channel into two or more narrowband channels, as technology now allows voice to be carried on “narrower” channels without degradation. |
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| more (this posting has attachments available) | |
May 30, 2009 |
Dangerous Goods News |
| Railways, Chemical plant & Petroleum Distributor joined forces to meet local E.R Responders to exchange information during TransCAER and Operation Lifesaver Activities in the province of Quebec | |
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Transportation/Community Awareness & Emergency Response The Quebec Gatineau and St. Lawrence & Atlantic (Quebec) Inc. Railways in association with ErcoWorldwide, Distribution Upton Inc. and the Railway Association of Canada conducted TransCAER & Operation Lifesafer information sessions utilizing the safety Training tank car CCPX 911 at Buckingham, Gatineau, Boisbriand, Trois-Rivières, Upton and Richmond, Québec during the period of May 04 to May 22, 2009. |
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May 12, 2009 |
Miscellaneous |
| Grade crossings to be safer with Government of Canada investment | |
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OTTAWA — The Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport), today announced that the Government of Canada will provide $7.1 million in new funding for the Grade Crossing Improvement Program (GCIP) this year. In addition, the Economic Action Plan provides $28 million over the next five years to further enhance grade crossings. "Our government takes the issue of rail safety very seriously," said Minister Merrifield. "We are committed to further reducing injuries and fatalities at crossings across the country. In collaboration with rail companies and communities, we are improving safety for motorists and pedestrians alike." Rail safety in Canada will additionally benefit from the Government of Canada's 2009 Economic Action Plan, which is accelerating and expanding recent historic federal investment in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years. This includes $28 million over five years to enhance the GCIP, which will help save lives by improving safety at public grade crossings across Canada. "Safety at railway crossings is something we can all get behind," said Canada's Transport Minister John Baird. "Communities across the country will be safer because our government is making these safety improvements happen." The Government of Canada works closely with railway companies and communities to identify grade crossings that require safety improvements. |
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Document(s): Click here to download the Transport Canada Press Release in PDF (106 KB) |
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May 1, 2009 |
RAC Press Release |
| Kids Website Is Launched Today | |
 OTTAWA -- Operation Lifesaver launched a new website for children today (Friday) to help reduce crossing and trespassing incidents around trains. The site is accessible in English at www.olkids.ca or French at www.ogjeunes.ca. Dan Di Tota, national director of Operation Lifesaver, said it includes stories, games, audio and video clips, posters and safety tips. The website launch is part of Operation Lifesaver’s Rail Safety Week that is underway and involves more than 200 municipalities across Canada. The site features Rover, the Railway Safety Rabbit, and the Train Your Brain activity book. |
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April 29, 2009 |
Member News |
| CN appoints Luc Jobin executive vice-president and chief financial officer effective June 1, 2009 | |
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MONTREAL -- E. Hunter Harrison, president and chief executive officer of CN (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI), announced today the appointment of Luc Jobin, C.A., as the executive vice-president and chief financial officer of the company effective June 1, 2009. Jobin, 50, will be responsible for financial management and strategic planning at CN. Jobin will succeed Claude Mongeau, whom the CN board of directors recently selected to become CN president and chief executive officer effective Jan. 1, 2010. Between June 1 and yearend, Mongeau will act as executive vice-president, spending most of his time in the field broadening his knowledge of CN's network and operations before assuming his new duties at the beginning of next year. |
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April 28, 2009 |
RAC Press Release |
| Roger Cyr Award For Public Safety | |
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Ottawa – A Hamilton man, Tom Allan, has been selected as Operation Lifesaver’s 2009 Roger Cyr Award winner, presented to individuals who reduce highway-railway crossing collisions and trespass incidents. Mr. Allan, an Operation Lifesaver volunteer presenter since October of 2004, was knighted into the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem in 2007 for some 40 years of service and around 25,000 hours of volunteer work. He was St. John Ambulance’s chief training officer for Canada and retired as CN’s Manager of First Aid and Safety. The announcement was made by Dan Di Tota, national director of OL, during Rail Safety Week April 27-May 3. Last year’s winner was Lorrie Johnston of Saint John, N.B., a 10-year veteran of the New Brunswick Southern Railway short line |
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April 28, 2009 |
Miscellaneous |
| Operation Lifesaver's Rail Safety Week is launched | |
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Operation Lifesaver's Rail Safety Week was launched yesterday in more than 200 municipalities across Canada. The national campaign promotes safe decisions around highway-railway crossings and freight and passenger train operations. It is sponsored by Transport Canada, the nation's railways and their partners. Crossing collisions dropped to 214 in 2008 from 221 the year earlier. Trespass incidents were down to 73 last year from 101 in 2007. Crossing fatalities, 73, were unchanged year over year but trespass fatalities dropped from 57 in 2007 to 47 last year. Serious injuries at crossings increased from 22 in 2007 to 36 last year but serious injuries from trespassing dropped from 27 the year prior to 20 in 2008. Dan Di Tota, National Director of Operation Lifesaver, said virtually all the incidents can be prevented with care and attention. "The life you save could be your own," he said. |
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April 22, 2009 |
RAC News |
| Spring Interchange 2009 | |
 The Spring edition of Interchange brings you up-to-date with new developments in the locomotive fleet to enhance customer service, reduce fuel consumption and emissions and to improve fleet efficiency. On the west coast, Southern Railway of British Columbia shows how they are growing their business and in Montreal, AMT is replacing their commuter cars and power with more moden rolling stock.The hi-speed train study by Quebec, Ontario and Ottawa has started, and Viterra is expanding their 100-car capacity grain elevators. This is also the first edition of a digital version of Interchange. So welcome to this fast-changing world. |
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April 21, 2009 |
Member News |
| CN board selects Claude Mongeau to succeed E. Hunter Harrison as president and chief executive officer effective Jan. 1, 2010 | |
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CALGARY - David G. A. McLean, chairman of the board of directors of CN (TSX: CNR)(NYSE: CNI), announced today the board's selection of Claude Mongeau to succeed E. Hunter Harrison as president and chief executive officer of the company at the end of 2009. Mongeau, 47, currently CN's executive vice-president and chief financial officer, has held successively senior positions since joining the company in 1994. McLean said: "CN's board of directors is delighted to announce the selection of Claude Mongeau. The board thoroughly reviewed the company's future strategic priorities and the skills and attributes required of our new CEO. We are confident that Claude is the best candidate to build on the successes achieved to date. |
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April 1, 2009 |
RAC Press Release |
| Reduces Corporate Taxes, Sales Tax Harmonization | |
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OTTAWA - Cliff Mackay, President and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada, said Canada’s freight and passenger railways appreciate the Ontario budget’s cost savings and infrastructure spending to improve investment conditions. He said the budget, tabled late last week, is business and rail-friendly and is expected to generate some $35 million dollars annually in railway industry savings.
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March 31, 2009 |
Dangerous Goods News |
| CN announces Operations leadership appointments | |
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MONTREAL - CN today announced four Operations leadership appointments effective immediately. |
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March 12, 2009 |
RAC News |
| Signing of MOU Regarding Railway Proximity in Municipalities | |
 Brock Carlton (L), CEO of FCM, Jean Perrault, President of FCM and mayor of Sherbrooke, QC, and Cliff Mackay, president and CEO of RAC, sign a memorandum of understanding regarding railway proximity in municipalities in Ottawa March 12, 2009. Photo by Blair Gable for The Canadian Press Images.
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Document(s): Click here to download the Photo in JPEG (63 KB) |
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February 26, 2009 |
Miscellaneous |
| Proximity Progress Report - 2008 | |
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The Proximity Progress Report is an annual publication that reports on the challenges and achievements of the proximity initiative by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Railway Association of Canada (RAC). The FCM, representing 1,775 municipal governments, and the RAC, whose 54 member railways transport 75 per cent of surface freight and 68 million commuter and inter-city passengers, signed a new cooperation agreement to improve communications and to develop benchmarks and guidelines for dispute resolution. |
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Document(s): Click here to download the Report in PDF (304 KB) |
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February 26, 2009 |
Miscellaneous |
| Locomotive Emissions Monitoring Program 2007 | |
 The annual Locomotive Emissions Monitoring (LEM) data filing has been completed for 2007 in accordance with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on May 15, 2007, between the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), Environment Canada and Transport Canada concerning the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and criteria air contaminants (CAC) from locomotives operating in Canada. The MOU is in force from 2006 to 2010 and identifies specific commitments on the part of the major railway companies to achieve during this period.
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| more (this posting has attachments available) | |
February 23, 2009 |
Dangerous Goods News |
| Trillium Railway Hosts a Railway TransCAER | |
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On Saturday, February 21, Trillium Railway hosted a railway TransCAER (Transportation Community Awareness Emergency Response) training presentation at the Aylmer Fire Department, Aylmer, Ontario. Doug Wilson, VP, Trillium Railway and Sam Taylor, Chief, Aylmer Fire Department led lecturers from the Railway Association of Canada (Andy Ash), CN Railway (Art Vesterfelt) and IGPC Ethanol Inc.(Lori Temple). |
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February 18, 2009 |
Dangerous Goods News |
| RAC Railway Emergency Response Course | |
 The RAC Dangerous Goods Team has listened to the dangerous goods responders in Canada who asked for a Canadian based training course that deals with responding to dangerous goods incidents on railway property.On June 1-5, 2009 the RAC is conducting a "Railway Emergency Response" course at the Justice Institute of British Columbia in Maple Ridge, BC. |
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| more (this posting has attachments available) | |
January 27, 2009 |
RAC Press Release |
| Railway Industry Pleased With Federal Budget | |
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OTTAWA - Canada’s railways were pleased with the federal government’s budget plans Tuesday for safety enhancements, “which are always Job One in this industry,” infrastructure investment and highway-railway crossing improvements, said Cliff Mackay, President and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada. He said the initiatives are welcome and deliverable by freight and passenger railways to customers quickly during the short term. Canada’s railways transport 75 per cent of surface freight and 68 million passengers annually. |
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January 15, 2009 |
RAC News |
| Winter Edition of Interchange | |
 The 48-page Winter edition of Interchange, now available online, tracks current developments in the railway industry and new initiatives. Content includes a profile of Associate Supplier Member Bombardier, VIA Rail improvements, CP’s acquisition of the DME, and CN’s short line acquisitions. GO Transit’s efforts to cope with on-going growth, modern track inspection technology and introduction of electronic train brakes are part of the line-up.
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January 14, 2009 |
RAC Press Release |
| Operation Lifesaver Seeking Nominations for Roger Cyr Award for Public Safety | |
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OTTAWA - Operation Lifesaver is now seeking nominations for the 2009 Roger Cyr Award for Public-Rail Safety. The award, named after the late founding national director of Operation Lifesaver in Canada, recognizes excellence, dedication and initiative in the field of public-rail safety across Canada. “There are so many people and initiatives involved with Operation Lifesaver and the railway industry that deserve recognition for their role in improving rail safety,” said Dan Di Tota, national director of Operation Lifesaver in Canada. “Public-rail safety is of the utmost importance, and this award highlights the extra efforts that people have taken to achieve those ends.” The award is specific to activities during the 2008 calendar year, and is open to all active Operation Lifesaver partners and volunteers who have undertaken efforts to improve railway safety and encourage others to do the same. |
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| Summer 2010 Edition of Interchange | |
| Railway Emergency Response Training Complete | |
| Locomotive Emissions Monitoring Program 2008 | |
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Mr. Paul Goyette Director, Communications and Public Affairs Phone: (613) 564-8097 |
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