Canadian rail sector to further reduce locomotive emissions under renewed agreement

OTTAWA, Ont. —  Minister of Transport  Lisa Raitt and Michael Bourque, president and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), today announced a renewal of the voluntary agreement that will help reduce air pollutants and the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions from locomotives that operate in Canada.

“The Government of Canada is taking action to help reduce air emissions that harm our health and the environment,” said Minister Raitt. “This agreement will help to limit emissions from rail sources and is another fine example of partnership and collaboration between our Government and the rail industry.”

In 2010, the rail sector transported about 71 per cent of total Canadian surface freight and accounted for approximately four per cent of total Canadian transportation greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, intercity passenger and commuter railways moved approximately 73 million people across Canada and within our major urban centres.

The renewed Memorandum of Understanding encourages all RAC members, including freight, intercity passenger, shortline and commuter railway companies in Canada to continue to voluntarily reduce locomotive emissions. The agreement includes measures, targets and actions that will further reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions from rail operations and includes a commitment to continue to monitor criteria air contaminants. The agreement will also benefit the rail industry through fuel cost savings that will contribute to the competitiveness of Canada’s rail companies.

This agreement provides a framework for achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and will contribute to Canada’s broader effort to address climate change.

The extension of this agreement builds on the 2006-2010 Memorandum between the RAC, Transport Canada and Environment Canada. Progress towards meeting the targets, reducing emissions and advancing initiatives are reported annually in the Locomotive Emissions Monitoring Program report.