Federal authorities are currently investigating potential legal breaches by Canadian National Railway Co. following an incident where a crew had to be rescued from a train engulfed in flames in northwestern Ontario. Transport Canada spokesperson, Hicham Ayoun, stated that the government is conducting follow-up oversight to ascertain if CN violated regulations outlined in the Railway Safety Act. Ayoun emphasized that Transport Canada is prepared to enforce operational restrictions or protective measures if deemed necessary. Moreover, the department is collaborating with Employment and Social Development Canada to assess any health and safety infractions that may have occurred.
A widely circulated video on social media captured the intense situation as orange-red flames surrounded the train near Armstrong, Ont., with trees ablaze alongside the tracks. The crew urgently requested assistance as the flames closed in, prompting their escape on foot to safety and subsequent treatment for smoke inhalation. The trade union representing over 10,000 railworkers condemned the incident, urging CN to cease operations in active wildfire zones.
Teamsters Canada president, Paul Boucher, criticized CN for allowing the train to traverse the affected area, emphasizing that the crew’s ordeal was avoidable. Despite the challenges, Boucher commended the crew for their bravery and professionalism. CN has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, highlighting that the crew was successfully evacuated from the area, located over 200 kilometers north of Thunder Bay.
In response to the incident, CN suspended rail operations in parts of northwestern Ontario to prioritize the safety of employees, the community, and emergency responders. Conversely, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. stated that their operations remain unaffected by wildfires in Ontario and Western Canada, with trains in those regions operating normally. Premier Doug Ford disclosed that approximately 190 wildfires are currently active in northern Ontario, leading to multiple community evacuations and surpassing the total land burned during last year’s fire season. Criticism has been directed towards the government’s handling and communication regarding evacuations, notably concerning Whitesand First Nation and Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins First Nation, which was evacuated without provincial assistance.