e-187 (Rail transportation)

Petition to the House of Commons

• The idling, sorting, coupling, decoupling and shunting of trains in rail yards and increasing ground vibration levels due to trains passing at high speed near residential areas, create an incredible amount of noise and disruption as well as health concerns for residents who live near the tracks;
• After passing in the House of Commons in 2007, Bill C-11 proposed that several amendments be made to the Railway Safety Act, which included the creation of a complaint mechanism to deal with complaints concerning noise resulting from the construction or operation of railways;
• By allowing for “reasonable” amounts of noise and leaving the legislation open to heavy interpretation, the Senate weakened the provisions of Bill C-11;
• The loophole introduced by the Senate allowed railway companies to continue to carry out and increase high noise activities in the evening, overnight, and early in the morning, seriously disrupting the quality of life and health of local residents in many areas of the country, and in some instances even damaging property;
• The federal government has yet to step in and properly regulate railway noise activities to allow communities to get the proper rest, sleep and the sense of security and wellbeing they require;