MP questions PM on Trail acid spills
By Dick Cannings MP
Richard Cannings MP (South Okanagan—West Kootenay) – Last April and May two serious acid spills caused havoc in Trail, BC. Yesterday during Question Period, Cannings questioned the Prime Minister whether Transport Canada is properly investigating these incidents.
Cannings has also been in consultation with local officials in his pursuit to bring this important matter to the floor of the House of Commons.
“Local authorities are concerned about timely access to response teams at hazardous materials spills like the ones that affected thousands of my constituents. Regrettably, the closest teams are in Kamloops, Kelowna and Calgary placing our first responders and citizens in hazardous situations,” said Cannings.
“We look to Transport Canada to help investigate, enforce, and resolve events like this,” says Roly Russell, Chair of the Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary, “and hope to see our Federal-Local partnership deliver these needs for our community.”
October 24, 2018 Question
Richard Cannings, “Mr. Speaker, this spring, there were two significant sulphuric acid spills from transport trucks in Trail, B.C. Over a thousand cars that drove through the spills had to be written off because they were unsafe to drive. The Trail fire department lost two of their trucks. A smaller spill happened again in September. Regional authorities are deeply concerned that Transport Canada does not have the staffing capacity to effectively deal with incidents like this.
“Is Transport Canada investigating these acid spills? What enforcement actions will it take to resolve the issues faced by local residents and governments?”
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau,“Mr. Speaker, obviously, we take this situation seriously. This is something which, of course, Transport Canada is looking at. We know that the protection of communities and citizens right across the country is one of the fundamental responsibilities of any government, and it is one which we take very seriously.”
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