Ottawa to phase out unsafe rail tank cars, pull 5,000 cars immediately: Raitt

The federal government is ordering the 5,000 most dangerous tank cars off the rails as it adopts the major rail safety recommendations of the Transportation Safety Board in the wake of the tragedy last summer in Lac Megantic.

Transport Minister Lisa Raitt says the immediate measures will take care of the most vulnerable of the older model tank cars, known as DOT-111, while those carrying crude oil and ethanol must be phased out or retrofitted within three years.

“We are immediately removing the least crash-resistant DOT-111 tank cars from dangerous goods service by directing the phase-out of tank cars that have no continuous reinforcement of their bottom shell in 30 days,” Raitt said.

Rail carriers will also be required to prepare emergency response assistance plans for shipments of all petroleum products, including everything for crude oil to diesel.

Emergency response is to be improved across the country through a task force involving municipalities, first responders, railways and shippers.

“We are always committed to improving railway safety and the transportation of dangerous goods by rail,” Raitt told a news conference.

She said there will be changes to insurance rules so that in the event of an accident there will be enough money available to cover compensation and cleanup costs.

“I also feel strongly that Canadians should not be expected to cover the costs of damages in the event of an accident.”

The actions are the latest response to last summer’s horrific derailment and fire in Lac Megantic that claimed 47 lives.

Concerns about the safety of DOT-111 tank cars date back at least 20 years.

The DOT-111 tank car is considered the workhorse of the North American fleet and makes up about 70 per cent of all tankers on the rails.

The issue of oil transport recently made headlines in Toronto when midtown residents expressed their concern to CityNews after learning that some of the CP Rail freight trains rumbling past their homes on a daily basis are carrying crude oil.

One expert said a disaster similar to Lac-Megantic was likely in Toronto unless changes were made.

“It’s an accident that’s not waiting to happen, it’s going to happen,” said Roger McKnight, Enpro’s chief petroleum analyst.

“It’s basically a bomb on wheels. It’s a very unstable product, very volatile.”

Residents want the oil rerouted, but Toronto city councillor Josh Matlow said he was told that wasn’t an option when he asked CP about it.

The rail line passes through the Junction, and midtown neighbourhoods The Annex and Summer Hill.