CNR fined $8M for two northern Ont. train derailments

The Canadian National Railway Company has been fined $8 million for two 2015 train derailments in northern Ontario that caused millions of litres of crude oil to spill.

The fines were issued July 22 by the Ontario Court of Justice for two offences under the Fisheries Act.

The charges relate to derailments on Feb. 14 and March 7, both in 2015.

Trains derailed near Gladwick and Gogama, Ont., “both times releasing a significant amount of crude oil into the environment,” a news release Monday said.

“Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers attended both derailment sites to inspect and collect samples.”

An investigation revealed the Feb. 14 derailment released 1.06 million litres of crude oil into the environment, while the March 15 incident released 2.6 million, affecting wetlands and the Makami River that flows into Minisinakwa Lake.

“The two derailments occurred after a piece of railway track broke under the weight of the passing train,” the release said.

Trains derailed near Gladwick and Gogama, Ont., in February and March 2015, both times releasing a significant amount of crude oil into the environment. (File)

“Canadian National Railway Company failed to exercise due diligence in maintaining the tracks.”

After the derailments, the CNR renovated its infrastructure between Capreol and Hornepayne, Ont., “specifically focusing on the areas of the Gogama and Gladwick derailments.”

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“The company also completed forest restoration activities with the assistance of the Mattagami First Nation, including a planting program to restore lost vegetation species native to the area and creating a fish spawning lagoon in the vicinity of the Gogama bridge,” the release said.

With the conviction, the company's name will be added to the Environmental Offenders Registry, which lists convictions of corporations under certain federal environmental laws.

CNR was also charged with depositing "a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish" for both derailments.

Money from the fine will go “to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund to support projects that have a positive impact on the natural environment,” the release said.