Skip to content

NDP calls for legal repercussions following derailment

In an open letter to Environment Minister Glen Murray, NDP health critic France Gélinas, and the party's energy critic, Peter Tabuns, asked that the province prosecute CN Rail and the owners of the oil that spilled near Gogama March 7, aft

In an open letter to Environment Minister Glen Murray, NDP health critic France Gélinas, and the party's energy critic, Peter Tabuns, asked that the province prosecute CN Rail and the owners of the oil that spilled near Gogama March 7, after a train derailment, if any environmental laws have been broken.

The following is the full text of the letter:

*************************
Mr. Minister

We are writing to ask that you, as the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, order your ministry to investigate and, if justified, lay charges against CN Rail and the owners of the oil which has recently spilled in Gogama in Northern Ontario.

Where environmental laws have been broken, CN and the owners of the oil should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

You should also ensure that containment and cleanup are undertaken by CN and that this is overseen by your Ministry.

This is the third derailment in Northern Ontario in three weeks.

This time it occurred just outside, and could have occurred within, the village of Gogama.

There is now extensive environmental damage that has polluted local water sources affecting the people and the wildlife of Gogama.

There needs to be a plan in place that will help area fishers and outfitters, and others, who depend on the area’s abundant natural resources for their livelihoods. 

Under Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act, your ministry has broad powers to ensure compliance, proper containment of a spill and remediation.

You need to act now.

Where there has been a violation, you have a responsibility to ensure that the appropriate charges are laid.

We insist that you use these powers to immediately issue control, stop and remediation orders.

We also ask that the ministry set up a mechanism to help local people file individual claims for compensation against this polluter which has endangered the region’s future as hunting, fishing and outdoors destination.

This means lost jobs in an already hard-hit community.

Mr. Minister, it is fine that the Minister of Transportation is reaching out to his federal counterpart, but the people of Ontario need leadership now.

Discussions with the federal government are not going to protect Ontario’s environment and people; directives, actions and prosecution from your ministry will.

Sincerely,

France Gélinas 
MPP, Nickel Belt 

Peter Tabuns
NDP Energy Critic

*************************
Previous SooToday coverage of this story:

Northern MPs call for stricter rail safety standards


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.