RAC President and CEO Michael Bourque delivers opening remarks at International Level Crossing Awareness Day

Michael Bourque, President and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), today delivered opening remarks about rail safety as part of the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) conference in Montreal. Under the theme “How to improve safety at and around level crossings,” Bourque discussed initiatives that Canada’s rail industry has undertaken to prevent accidents and the importance of proper approaches to railway-community proximity issues, among other areas.

“For Canada’s railways, nothing is more important than safety,” said Bourque. “When it comes to crossings, we have a responsibility to do everything that we can to ensure that our operations are safe, that people understand the dangers of railway operations, and that we work with governments, communities and stakeholders to foster safe behaviour.”

Co-hosted in 2017 by RAC and the International Union of Railways, the annual ILCAD conference brings together railway industry representatives, academics and other stakeholders from around the world to raise awareness about the dangers surrounding level crossings. In 2016, more than 40 countries participated in ILCAD by promoting it online or by hosting event-related activities.

“We are thrilled that this year’s International Level Crossing Awareness Day is being hosted in Canada, where we’re very focused on bringing attention to roadway-railway crossing safety,” said Bourque.

“Canada’s railways believe that rail safety is a shared responsibility and that each crossing accident is preventable. Through education and outreach programs such as Operation Lifesaver, RAC and its members work hard to inform Canadians about the importance of safe crossing practices. Operation Lifesaver’s motto is ‘Look, Listen and Live,’ and we encourage people to take this message to heart.”

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Contact:

Alex Paterson
Public Affairs Coordinator
613-564-8111
apaterson@railcan.ca

About the Railway Association of Canada

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) represents more than 50 freight and passenger railway companies that move close to 82 million passengers and more than $280 billion worth of goods in Canada each year. The RAC advocates on behalf of its members and associate members to ensure that the rail sector remains globally competitive, sustainable, and most importantly, safe. Learn more at railcandev.wpengine.com. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.