Federal panel recommends 50 ways to improve Railway Safety Act

OTTAWA - A federal Railway Safety Act review has found the framework of the Act is fundamentally sound, but more needs to be done.

Federal Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon tabled the report - titled "Stronger Ties: A Shared Commitment to Railway Safety," - in the House of Commons Friday. He launched the review in December, 2006, following several serious rail accidents in BC, Alberta and Quebec.

The report presents the findings, including more than 50 recommendations to improve rail safety in Canada.

It identifies areas to improve rail safety that would require legislative changes, such as requiring railway companies to obtain a rail operating certificate once they meet regulated baseline safety requirements,

Cannon has already taken the first step recommended in the report by giving a mandate to the newly created Advisory Council on Railway Safety.

© The Canadian Press, 2008