Layoffs haven’t weakened train safety, CP insists
MONTREAL — Canadian Pacific Railway says this week’s bridge incident in Calgary and recent derailments shouldn’t raise concerns about its ability to safely move dangerous goods, including crude oil.
The railway says despite recent layoffs the number of bridge and track inspectors hasn’t been reduced.
Calgary’s mayor and union leaders have questioned whether CEO Hunter Harrison’s announced job cuts have undermined safety. The company has cut its workforce by 15 per cent to 14,920 as of the first quarter.
“Operating safely has been and always will be a No. 1 priority at CP and that focus is not going to change,” said spokesman Ed Greenberg.
A bridge over the swollen Bow River in Calgary buckled Thursday when a Canadian Pacific freight train was passing over it, leaving several tanker cars carrying material to dilute raw oilsands bitumen teetering.
A preliminary investigation has determined one of the four piers that support the bridge sagged after the Bow River swelled and flooded.
CP inspected the bridge 18 times after flooding began. The last bridge inspection was Saturday and the tracks were checked on Monday, but the strong current prevented it from checking below the water’s surface.
Canadian Pacific has also faced several derailments over the past few months.
In May, a freight train jumped the tracks near Jansen, Sask., spilling 91,000 litres of oil. About 114,000 litres of oil spilled in March near Parkers Prairie, Minn., when 14 cars derailed.
A derailment of 22 cars west of White River, Ont., caused the spill of 110,000 litres of light crude oil and 22,500 litres of canola oil. A broken train wheel and broken track were recovered from the scene. Later in April, 17 cars carrying potash derailed near Provost, Alta.
“Each of the past incidents are unique and unrelated,” Greenberg said. “Over the years, our railway has invested billions of dollars into our North American rail infrastructure network and our commitment to safety remains a focus as we respond to the demands of the global economy.”