Media Lines / Questions and Answers
Rail Safety Improvement Program
Media lines
- To continue to promote rail safety, the Government of Canada has allocated an estimated $85 million over four years, through the Rail Safety Improvement Program.
- The Rail Safety Improvement Program will provide more than $25 million to support 165 new projects and initiatives.
- The Rail Safety Improvement Program funds projects and initiatives that contribute to increasing safety at grade crossings and along rail lines, and increase public confidence in Canada’s rail system.
- Canada maintains one of the safest rail transportation systems in the world through shared efforts between partners, including governments, railway companies and communities.
- Rail safety is the Minister of Transport’s top priority and the Government of Canada is continuously looking for ways to make our railway system even safer for Canadians.
Questions and Answers
Q: How much total funding is the Rail Safety Improvement Program providing?
A:
This year, the Rail Safety Improvement Program will fund 165 projects:
- 161 projects for more than $22 million under the Infrastructure, Technology and Research component and;
- 4 initiatives for more than $ 3 million under the Education and Awareness component
Transport Canada’s Rail Safety Improvement Program provides funding through grants and contributions. The program improves rail safety, contributes to increasing safety at grade crossings and along rail lines, and increases public confidence in Canada’s rail transportation system.
Q: How is the Government helping Canadians and the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A.
The Government of Canada is committed to protecting and serving Canadians through the challenge of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That includes making sure our rail and grade crossings remain safe and functional for Canadians while supporting Canada’s economic growth.
The 165 RSIP projects being funded are spread out all over the country and many involve construction activities which contribute to the creation of jobs in small communities across the country.
Q: What has the break-down of budget been over the past year(s)?
A:
The budget for the Rail Safety Improvement Program – Infrastructure, Technology, and Research (RSIP-ITR) component has been $20 million/year since its inception in 2017-2018.
Budget 2019 confirmed funding for the Rail Safety Improvement Program – Infrastructure, Technology and Research (RSIP-ITR) and Rail Safety Education and Awareness (RSIP-E&A) for the next four years, starting in 2019-2020.
Q: Who is eligible for funding under RSIP-ITR?
A:
Contributions under RSIP-ITR provide funding for eligible expenditures up to 50% for VIA Rail and for-profit organizations, and up to 80% for all other recipients (including municipalities, provinces, and not-for-profit organizations). Funding is also provided for grade crossing closures, with grant amounts of $25,000 per public crossing, and $6,000 per private crossing.
Q: XXX crossing is on the Grade Crossing Inventory. Why didn’t it get funding for improvements under the Rail Safety Improvement Program?
A:
There are a number of reasons why a specific crossing has not received funding. These could include that a funding application was not submitted to the department or that the request did not rank high based on the selection criteria for funding established under the Rail Safety Improvement Program.
The selection criteria is available online, under item 7 of the Applicant’s guide.
Responsive
The Grade Crossing Inventory is made public as part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to increase transparency and openness.
Recognizing that this inventory is useful for municipalities, Transport Canada committed to providing information to assist them to make the crossings in their communities safer.
Q: Is the program still open? When is the next round?
A:
The application process for the 2022-23 year of Infrastructure, Technology and Research projects (RSIP-ITR) is open until August 1, 2021. The application process for Public Education and Awareness projects (RSIP-E&A) is now closed. The next round has not yet been planned.
Q: Where can people / municipalities apply?
A:
Applicants can apply on the Rail Safety Improvement Program website.
Q: How many people die per year by trains?
A:
In 2019, the Transportation Safety Board reported 72 fatalities on federally regulated railways. Twenty eight of these deaths occurred at crossings, 38 were trespassing fatalities, and six were ‘other’.
Monthly rail occurrence statistics, December 2019 - Transportation Safety Board of Canada):
In 2018, the Transportation Safety Board reported 57 fatalities on federally regulated railways. Nineteen of these deaths occurred at crossings, 34 were trespassing fatalities, and four were ‘other’.
In 2017, the Transportation Safety Board reported 76 fatalities on federally regulated railways. Nineteen of these deaths occurred at crossings, 53 were trespassing fatalities, and four were ‘other’.
Q: According to the Transportation Safety Board, year-to-date rail accidents are rising. Is this program really working?
A:
Rail safety remains the Minister’s top priority, which is why Transport Canada has taken many steps to strengthen rail safety in Canada and continues looking for ways to make our railway system safer for Canadians.
Transport Canada is committed to reducing the number of these injuries and fatalities by working closely with railway companies and road authorities to identify grade crossings that require safety improvements.
Transport Canada is taking action to implement recommendations from the 2018 Railway Safety Act Review report, which will include bringing together a broader range of partners to work with the department to find ways to reduce these largely preventable deaths and injuries.
Several factors may impact the number of rail accidents in a given year. Please contact the Transportation Safety Board for further information at either 819-994-8053 or at Medias@bst-tsb.gc.ca.
Q: Transport Canada’s response to the 2018 Railway Safety Act Review Panel’s report mentions the development of a national grade crossings strategy. What will that entail?
A:
Transport Canada has done considerable work, including:
- introducing more comprehensive Grade Crossings Regulations;
- funding support for grade crossing improvements, closures and public education through the Rail Safety Improvement Program; and
- increasing transparency on the state of Canada’s grade crossings through the release of a risk-ranked, Grade Crossings Inventory on the Government of Canada’s Open Data Portal.
Many of the “persistent” rail safety concerns identified in the Railway Safety Act Review Report are a shared responsibility, requiring a coordinated approach by governments, railway operators, and other stakeholders.