No. H098/13
For release - July 25, 2013
DORVAL (QUEBEC) — Today, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, met with elected officials from the Eastern Townships, including several mayors, to listen to their concerns regarding rail safety in their respective communities and respond to their questions, as a beginning of an ongoing dialogue.
"The tragedy in Lac-Mégantic will be imprinted in the collective memory of generations to come, " said Minister Raitt. "We continue to mourn the loss of life following the accident in Lac-Mégantic. We must never forget the lives lost and the entire community affected by this tragic event."
The elected officials from the Mégantic region that met with the Minister included Bernard Sévigny, Mayor of Sherbrooke, Pauline Quinlan, Mayor of Bromont, Vicki May Hamm, Mayor of Magog, Arthur Fauteux, Mayor of Cowansville, Jacques Demers, Mayor of Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Josef Hüsler, Mayor of Farnham, and Maurice Bernier, the Préfet of the Regional County Municipality of Le Granit.
"The concerns of the mayors are quite legitimate — they want to ensure safety in their communities, balanced with the needs of their economy. This is the goal of the federal government as well," added Minister Raitt.
Although the cause of the July 6th accident remains unknown at this time, Transport Canada continues to collaborate in the ongoing investigations. The department's inspectors are on site to determine whether there has been non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
Railway safety regulations exist to ensure the safety and protection of the public. Should anyone be found to have contravened any federal transportation regulations, Transport Canada will not hesitate to take whatever course of action is available.
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Contacts:
Ashley Kelahear
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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