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Rail safety rules announced in wake of Lac-Megantic report

Oct. 29, 2014, Ottawa – The Conservative government has unveiled a new set of rules aimed at improving rail safety in Canada.

They include tougher hand brake requirements, more Transport Canada staff to do audits, more research on crude oil properties and a requirement that rail companies submit training plans for review.

The new rules come after the Transportation Safety Board gave a failing grade this week to the country’s two largest railways and the railroad involved in the deadly Lac-Megantic disaster.

The TSB report said all have failed to file mandatory accident information in recent years.

The rail industry is facing heightened scrutiny following the fiery July 2013 derailment in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, which killed 47 people and wiped out part of the town.

An unattended tanker train loaded with volatile crude oil broke loose from its parking spot, roared down a hill and slammed into the community.