The Rail Safety Awareness Week Act, a private member’s bill introduced earlier this spring by Bob Lagassé, MLA for Dawson Trail, is poised to become law after it was passed by the Manitoba Legislative Assembly on third reading. Bill 221 will establish an annual Rail Safety Awareness Week in the week of the last Friday in September.
“Rail Safety Awareness Week will improve public education on railway safety and help reduce railway-related injuries and tragedies in Manitoba,” said Lagassé. “I want to thank everyone who supported this bill, and to encourage all Manitobans to help improve railway safety by taking part in Manitoba’s first annual Rail Safety Awareness Week this coming September.”
Though Canada has an annual Rail Safety Week in September, Bill 221 will make Manitoba the first province to put Rail Safety Awareness Week into legislation in an effort to reduce railway-related accidents.
There were 19 railway incidents resulting in three deaths and five serious injuries in Manitoba last year. Across the country in 2017, there were 222 railway incidents including 72 deaths and 44 serious injuries.
The Rail Safety Awareness Week Act is expected to receive Royal Assent before the legislative session concludes this fall.
