Canada has one of the largest railway networks in the world, and the volume of freight transported by rail is on the rise. Despite some improvements made in the aftermath of the Lac-Mégantic disaster, many Canadians are concerned that this traffic increase will result in more railway transportation accidents.

In March 2021, the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (the Committee) undertook to study the Auditor General of Canada’s Follow-up Audit on Rail Safety. This report follows an expansion of that study.

The Auditor General of Canada and the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board both outlined their outstanding recommendations to Transport Canada, particularly regarding regulatory oversight and Safety Management Systems (SMS).

Witnesses also spoke to the Committee about the difficult relationship between municipalities and adjacent properties, as well as Indigenous communities, and the railway companies that run traffic through their communities. Railway crossings represented a significant concern.

The Committee was also told about labour condition issues facing railway workers and heard recommendations to improve fatigue management in the rail industry.