Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach has launched six days of parliamentary hearings to assess whether communities are adequately protected from spills and fires caused by the rail transport of dangerous goods.
On Tuesday, Bachrach questioned top Transport Canada officials about the safety of transporting hazardous materials through communities like Terrace and Smithers, where trains carrying dangerous goods often pass through residential areas. Bachrach expressed concern over the lack of clear answers from the officials, particularly about emergency response capacity, evacuation plans, and the confidentiality of risk assessments and emergency plans.
Bachrach emphasized that the hearings are not intended to incite fear, but to push for stronger regulations and resources before a disaster occurs. He argued that the federal government must act now to ensure proper protection for communities at risk.
The hearings will continue later this week with testimony from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, and further discussions are expected in late January.
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