Minister of Transport prioritizes rail safety investments in Québec

From: Transport Canada

News release

March 13, 2024            Saint-Lazare, Québec            Transport Canada

The Government of Canada ensures Canadians have the safest railway systems, in collaboration with local communities and railway companies.

Today, the Minister of Transport and Québec Lieutenant, Pablo Rodriguez, and the Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil—Soulanges, Peter Schiefke, prioritized investments of $9.8 million for more than 70 projects across Québec, through the Rail Safety Improvement Program, notably a $472,679 project in Saint-Lazare for fencing off a section of rail in the Legault Road area.

The Rail Safety Improvement Program provides funds for projects that aim to improve rail safety at grade crossings and along rail lines. The program:

  • provides investments in rail infrastructure;
  • helps address climate change resiliency;
  • supports innovative solutions through research studies and new technology pilot projects and
  • helps educate Canadians on railway safety through outreach and awareness initiatives.

In addition, investments through the Rail Safety Improvement Program also contribute to economic growth by ensuring the continued efficient movement of goods to markets and creating well-paying jobs.

Quotes

“We work with our partners every day to make living environments near railways safer for Canadians. Safety is always our priority. This will also allow us to maintain the effectiveness of our railways in getting us the goods we need when we need them and at reasonable cost.”

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez
Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant

“These investments will make it safer for Saint-Lazare residents that live, work and play near our railways. We are constantly working to improve our citizens’ quality of life, and today’s announcement demonstrates that safety is always our absolute priority for our railway system.”

Peter Schiefke
Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil—Soulanges

Quick facts

  • The Rail Safety Improvement Program funds projects and initiatives that contribute to increasing safety at grade crossings and along rail lines and increase public confidence in Canada's rail system.

  • Since the inception of the Rail Safety Improvement Program in 2016, it has supported more than 1,000 projects across Canada, for a total investment of more than $230 million.

  • The Rail Safety Improvement Program provides financial support to provinces, territories, municipalities and local governments, road and transit authorities, crown corporations, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, academia, Indigenous groups, communities and organizations, and individuals/private landowners, to help improve rail safety and reduce injuries and fatalities related to rail transportation.

Associated links

Contacts

Laura Scaffidi
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
laura.scaffidi@tc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
media@tc.gc.ca

Page details

Date modified: