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Canadian Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Lawrence Cannon has called for a full review of the nation’s Railway Safety Act because of a rise in railroad accidents and derailments the past four years.

Early next year, the minister will appoint members to an independent panel, which will review the act and submit a report by fall 2007.

Enacted in January 1989, the act assigns responsibility for rail safety to the minister, provides a regulatory framework, and streamlines the safety regulation development and approval process.

“It is time for Canada’s rail sector to work under rail safety legislation that is in step with development in the industry and with other transportation modes,” said Cannon in a prepared statement. “This review will provide the opportunity to not only improve the Railway Safety Act, but also generate new rail safety ideas in Canada.”