[All] Chemical spills risks by rail in Waterloo Region

[Lori Strothard]

thanks Lulu- good to know -that train runs very close to our house and literally right up against the backyards of many of our neighbours, and I've often thought what if ever there was a spill, lord knows what chemicals they are carrying. I've always wondered where it comes from, goes, and its story, so thanks for that. The train goes slowly but still, it crosses Allen St. E. near where I live with no warning signal or railway crossing arms coming down or anything at all  -the train just dings its bell, and that is the warning. Once in the winter when visibility was poor and I had my radio on I think, I did not hear or see it at all, and almost hit the train, or it almost hit me - I looked over and it was just a couple of yards from my car. Very frightening. How can a train be allowed to cross several residential streets with no warnings - that confounds me!  The other thing is how mankind seems to be willing to do almost anything to get oil and gas. When will this ever change - Jeff Rubin says only when it becomes prohibitively expensive will we become unobsessed with its procurement and be forced into finding and using alternatives.  Lori Strothard
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Louisette Lanteigne 
  To: gren 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 10:14 AM
  Subject: [All] Chemical spills risks by rail in Waterloo Region


  Hi folks


  The Waterloo Chronicle has three articles I would like to relay.


  The first and most alarming is an article regarding a series of "minor" train derailments that occurred in the past 5 years on the Goderich-Exeter Railway, that is the line that runs right through down town Waterloo. It extends 300 km from the North end of Toronto to Goderich to London. The track is owned by the Region of Waterloo, operated by GEXR and maintained by CN railway. One accident involved a shipment of liquid chemicals heading to Chemtura that derailed between Kitchener and Elmira. The Waterloo Chronicle used Freedom of Info to try and secure the identity of the chemical being transported but they were refused with the excuse that disclosure may result in "acts of terrorism" or "vandalism". Full article here: 


  http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/request-denied/



  NOTE: Previously the Region of Waterloo identified spills risk as a number one emergency concern for our area ahead of tornado and flood concerns. This was made public in an Emergency Preparedness guide distributed by the Region of Waterloo a few years back. I know from personal experience that rail lines buckle in heat. I witnessed a rail line crossing Erb Street right by the Waterloo Square that was bowed on a curve straight up about a foot high and it was due to hot weather. I reported it to police and they contacted rail folks who repaired it. 


  The second article I'd like to bring to mind is one regarding a proposal on the east side of Waterloo involving a property known as Galantai lands where a wetland ecosystem is being threatened by a zoning application to build a subdivision in this swamp. 22 acres of land, plenty of wildlife and primary recharge is at risk. Joel Cotter is the development planner involved with this one. The city has deferred decisions on this property right now. Details here: 


  http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/development-decision-deferred/



  The third article is my Guest Column feature in response to the Chamber of Commerce Director Ian McLean's article saying how good tar sands is for the Ontario Government. My article shows how Ontario has more to loose than gain when it comes to tar sands. http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/opinion/oil-sands-no-pot-of-gold-for-ontario/


  Have a great day folks!
  Lulu :0)


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