In the wake of a fatal train derailment in Lac-Mégantic Quebec last July, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and the US National Transportation Safety Board issued strong recommendations Jan. 23 to improve the safe transportation of crude oil by rail.
The TSB issued three recommendations regarding tougher standards, strategic route planning and emerging response assistance.
They cover older model DOT class 111 tank cars, which are the labourers of the oil-by-rail industry.
In response to the recommendations, Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt said Transport Canada officials are reviewing the recommendations made by the board, and the safety of Canadians remains the top priority.
Last summer 47 people were killed after a runaway train loaded with oil crashed and exploded in Lac-Megantic.