The Government of Canada will provide CAD 24 million (USD 19.1 million) to fund 147 projects in 2022-2023 across the country under the Rail Safety Improvement Programme.
The announcement was made by the Transport Minister of Canada, Omar Alghabra, and the Member of Parliament for Vaughan-Woodbridge (a federal electoral district in Ontario).
The largest number of the projects to receive the funding will be implemented in Ontario (58 projects), followed by Alberta (24 projects) and Quebec (23 projects). In British Columbia and Saskatchewan will be implemented 22 projects with 11 in each province, while Manitoba and New Brunswick will each implement 10 projects.
The funding includes contributions for 58 grade crossing, infrastructure, and research projects in Ontario Province, for a total amount of more than CAD 13 million (USD 10.35 million).
Under the programme, this year, the funding will go towards 120 grade-crossing improvements, 5 crossing infrastructure projects, 10 grade crossing closures and 12 technology and research projects across the country.
In addition to supporting infrastructure, technology, and research projects that improve railway safety, this investment will reduce safety risks, and contribute to economic growth by creating good-paying jobs. Funded projects include infrastructure improvements rail crossings and the development of innovative technologies.
“Investing in rail safety in Ontario and other parts of Canada will help keep communities safe. Since its inception four years ago, the Rail Safety Improvement Programme has provided more than CAD 107 million [USD 85.16 million] to enhance rail safety. We will continue to invest in projects that improve our rail system and that help keep Canadians safe,” the Minister of Transport said.
The safety improvement programme provides funding to provinces, territories, municipalities and local governments, road and transit authorities, crown corporations, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, academia, Indigenous groups, communities and organisations, and individuals/private landowners to help improve rail safety and reduce injuries and fatalities related to rail transport.
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