ONTARIO – Living in Northern Ontario, it’s hard not to notice two things: extreme weather and a changing climate. After months of flood warnings in the region, a dry, hot summer is being predicted in the forecast, which potentially poses the risk of brush fires as trains speed down their tracks.
Furthermore, conversation about the best way to combat nature’s wrath with floods and fire is happening as the Government of Canada is taking action to further improve the safety and security of Canada's rail system, especially in light of the impacts of climate change and severe weather on railway operations.
One safety measure will focus on railway-related fire prevention, while the other improves the resiliency of Canada's railway infrastructure against climate change impacts, such as flooding, landslides, and fire risks.
"In a period where we are seeing the impacts of climate change and extreme weather in Canada, it's important that we do everything we can to mitigate future risks,” said Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transportation. “Our new rules will protect our railways against wildfires in the context of extreme weather. At the same time, the new Rail Climate Change Adaption Program will help railways assess and adopt next-generation tools to mitigate adverse issues caused by climate change."
To help prevent fires on railway property and in nearby communities, Transport Canada has new regulations for railway companies.
These new rules require railway companies to:
- Reduce train speeds and conduct additional track inspections when temperatures are high to reduce the risk of a derailment caused by track conditions;
- Inspect locomotive exhaust systems more frequently to ensure they are free of any deposits that could pose a fire risk; and
- Implement a fire risk reduction plan.
The fire risk reduction plan requires companies to monitor fire risk levels, manage vegetation, reduce activities that could spark fires, and respond to detected fires.
Companies must also engage local governments and Indigenous communities on their plans.
In addition to the fire risk reduction plan, Transport Canada Rail Climate Change Adaptation Program supports research, development, and implementation of innovative technologies, tools, and approaches to better understand and address the increasing risks and impacts of climate change on Canada's rail sector.
The Rail Climate Change Adaptation Program will provide up to $2.2M in funding to Canadian railways for cost-share research.
Project submissions from eligible railways will be accepted until September 28, 2022.
"Investing in rail safety measures, including the Rail Climate Change Adaptation Program, demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to building a more climate resilient country today as we are developing our first National Adaptation Strategy,” said The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “The National Adaptation Strategy will build on existing adaptation efforts in the country, like this one, as we build climate preparedness for all of us living in Canada and ensure the safety and well-being of our families, communities, and the environment well into the future."
Collectively, the new rules and the program are two innovative, on-the-ground adaptation measures that show concrete actions the Government of Canada is taking today to build climate resiliency as efforts continue developing Canada's first National Adaptation Strategy.
The National Adaptation Strategy will establish a framework for action on how to improve our health and well-being, build and maintain infrastructure, steward the environment, make informed economic decisions, and prepare for and prevent climate-related disasters over the longer term.
