Ottawa will phase out oil transport in DOT-111 rail tank cars by November

Starting in November, tank cars like those involved in the deadly rail disaster in Lac-Mgantic, Que.will no longer be allowed to transport oil in Canada,Federal Transport Minister MarcGarneausays.

The DOT-111 cars will be phased out for the carrying of oil six months earlier than planned for "non-jacketed"cars those without a layer of thermal protectionand 16 months earlierthan cars with jackets.

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By 2025, it will be prohibited to transport any flammable liquids in the cars, Garneau said.

"The Lac-Mgantic tragedy reminds us of the importance of staying vigilant in order to ensure security while transporting dangerous goods across Canada," he said.

Garneau said about 28,000 DOT-111 railcars are still in use, travelling between Canada and the United States. He said the cars may be upgraded, used to transport other goods or sold to be scrapped.

Trains coming from the U.S. will be monitored to ensure they comply with the new rules.

Forty-seven people were killed when a train carrying oil exploded inLac-Mgantic in July 2013.Garneau said he's visited thetown a number oftimesfollowing the disaster.

"This was a profoundly traumatic experience for the town of Lac-Mgantic, and I really do want to help them move forward and rebuild, and part of that is rebuilding the confidence that municipalities need to have in their railway systems," he said.

Garneau says Lac Megantic factored into DOT-111 timeline

8 years ago

Duration 1:08

Transport Minister Marc Garneau talks about how memories of the Lac Megantic tragedy factored into his decision to move up the timeline on phasing out DOT-111 tankers being able to transport dangerous goods, including crude oil.

Safety concerns

The use of railcars to transport oil has soared in recent years.Last year, 146,000 shipments of crude oil travelled along the country's tracks.

Accordingto the Transportation Safety Board, thecars don't provide adequate safeguards against fire and increase the risk of explosions.

Accident investigators have said for decades that the DOT-111 railcarsare easily puncturedor ruptured, even in low-speed impacts.

A new class oftank car, the TC-117, wasunveiled in May 2015 andisdescribed as having a thicker steel hull, thermal protection to increase theability to withstand fire, a fullhead shield, protective valve covers and a bottom outlet valve forsafety.

"This type of tank car will be much more able to resist puncture,"Garneausaid.

Garneau said the measures were a concerted effort between Canadian and American authorities as well as the companies that lease the cars. The stakeholders he's spoken to are all on board with the accelerated timeline, he said.

New measures reassuring, but more can be done

Lac-Mgantic Mayor Jean-Guy Cloutier said the decision was apositive one, because oil transported in the DOT-111 railcars presents a "danger to the entire population."

Robert Bellefleur, spokesman for theLac-Mganticcitizens' coalition for rail safety,noted thatthe railcars willstill be able totransport dangerous substances.

"I know it's a step in the right direction, but it's late. The Transportation Safety Board has been recommending this for the last two years," he said.

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Bromont, Que., Mayor Pauline Quinlan, speaking on behalf of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, said the changes that have been made are reassuring, but that there is room forimprovementwhen it comes to inspections and emergency preparedness in case of disaster.

Montreal Mayor DenisCoderrepraisedGarneau, saying moving up the schedule is great news.

"Ithink that what we needto send as a message is thatwhen we're talking about safety we're not just going to talk about it we have to walk the talk,"he said.

The Railway Association of Canada,Canadian National and Canadian Pacific also applauded the move.