TIME IS NOW TO PURSUE ONTC WORK: FEDELI
May 15, 2015NORTH BAY – Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is pleased to hear optimism voiced by the
interim head of Ontario Northland at work prospects for the North Bay refurbishment
shop — something he identified as an opportunity a year ago.
Fedeli has spoken repeatedly inside and outside of the Legislature about how new
safety standards for rail tanker cars would mean refurbishment work that should be done
at Ontario Northland (North Bay Nugget, July 9, 2014 bit.ly/1qJpDml )
ONTC interim president and CEO Corinna Moore has recently made public remarks
suggesting a potential “tidal wave” of work coming as a result of the new safety
standards announced by Canada and the U.S. on May 1 for rail tanker cars to be in
place by 2025. The estimated cost of fleet renewal is $1.7 billion U.S, and more than
52,000 new tank cars are already in order backlog (Globe and Mail, May 11, 2015)
Improved safety standards are to include:
Both ends of tank must have a full height shield to prevent puncture from
adjacent cars.
• Both ends of tank must have a full height shield to prevent puncture from
adjacent cars.
• Mandatory protection over top valve which tend to break when tank car rolls over
• Tanks must have an extra layer of steel for protection against fires, and tank
walls must be made of thicker 9/16” steel
• Improved bottom valves to lessen chances of leaks after derailment
“Ontario Northland employees do world-class refurbishment work in that shop, which has
been under-utilized. The government needs to give ONTC the ability to actively pursue
opportunities like this as they’ll mean jobs and investment for North Bay and
Northeastern Ontario,” Fedeli said.
For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact:
Clint Thomas
Executive Assistant
(705) 474-8340 or (416) 710-1752