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e-3024 (Justice)

E-petition
Initiated by Don Ashley from Hamilton, Ontario

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:
  • The derailment of Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) Train 301, that cost the lives of Andy Dockrell, Dylan Paradis and Daniel Waldenberger-Bulmer on February 4, 2019, should and could have been avoided;
  • The CP investigation has led to deeply concerning allegations and a call for an independent criminal investigation;
  • The handling of the investigation has raised major concerns about the ongoing role of the railway police forces;
  • The government of Canada through the department of Transport and the department of Public Safety have failed to ask the RCMP to launch a full and independent investigation on the accident; and
  • The safety of rail workers, who are essential workers, is at stake and the families of those who perished deserve answers.
We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to launch a full and independent criminal investigation into the deadly derailment of CP Train 301.

Response by the Minister of Transport

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Omar Alghabra

Transport Canada’s legislative framework, including the Railway Safety Act, does not include the mandate to launch a criminal investigation. Rather, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or the relevant police service has the mandate to investigate any criminal conduct if they have jurisdiction over the area where the accident occurred or where an alleged criminal behavior has occurred. These police services have the discretion and independence to determine when an investigation is warranted, to conduct investigations into alleged criminal conduct, and, depending on the findings, to recommend that criminal prosecution be commenced.

The RCMP has completed a preliminary review of this derailment, and an investigation is now underway.

Open for signature
December 3, 2020, at 4:08 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
February 1, 2021, at 4:08 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski)
February 4, 2021 (Petition No. 432-00487)
Government response tabled
March 22, 2021
Photo - Niki Ashton
Churchill—Keewatinook Aski
New Democratic Party Caucus
Manitoba
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