The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has identified a number of track defects on the CN Joliette Subdivision that runs through Repentigny, prompting the city's mayor to call on federal authorities to suspend rail traffic until repairs are carried out.
What the TSB found
In a July 10 letter to Transport Canada, the TSB's director of investigations, Vincenzo De Angelis, reported several deficiencies between Mile 118 and Mile 121. Investigators found missing or displaced rail anchors in several locations and ties that were skewed — no longer perpendicular to the rails. The board warned that displaced anchors and skewed ties can alter stress distribution in the rail and undermine both longitudinal and lateral track stability.
- Derailment date: July 5 — a train carrying 172 wagons derailed in a residential neighbourhood.
- TSB letter sent to Transport Canada: July 10.
- CN resumed operations at reduced speeds: July 8 (company statement).
Municipal reaction and demands
Repentigny Mayor Nicolas Dufour said the TSB's observations are troubling because the corridor passes through a residential area. He called on the federal transport minister to consider suspending operations until CN Rail completes corrective measures and restores confidence in the line's safety.
"What we learned this morning is concerning, so this changes the situation,"
The city council has adopted a motion urging the minister to evaluate longer-term steps, including permanently reducing freight speed limits through residential zones. The municipality's concern centres on the immediate safety of neighbourhoods adjacent to the railway and the need for visible corrective action.
Rail operator and federal response
CN Rail, which resumed train movements through the area on July 8 at speeds lower than the usual 80 km/h, has pointed to a likely cause of thermal misalignment — a condition where extreme heat causes rails to shift. The company released preliminary findings that indicate heat likely played a role in the July 5 incident.
Transport Canada said in a news release that it is working with the TSB and that its rail inspectors are "monitoring the railway's response to ensure all necessary safety measures are in place." The department has been asked by the TSB to verify the integrity of the track and to report back on any actions taken.
Local implications and next steps
The TSB's initial observations do not assign a final cause but identify conditions that increase derailment risk, particularly track buckling and reduced stability when anchors or ties are compromised. The board recommended Transport Canada consider a verification inspection of the Joliette Subdivision to ensure it meets operational requirements.
For Repentigny residents, the findings sharpen questions about ongoing rail operations through densely populated areas, municipal authority to influence rail speed and safety measures, and the timeline for repairs and inspections. The city is pressing federal officials for concrete action and has signalled support for measures that would lower freight speeds in residential corridors.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 5 | Train carrying 172 wagons derailed in Repentigny residential area |
| July 8 | CN resumed operations at reduced speeds |
| July 10 | TSB letter to Transport Canada outlining preliminary track deficiencies |
Municipal leaders and federal regulators are expected to continue correspondence as the TSB progresses with its broader investigation. Repentigny officials say they will pursue measures to protect residents while awaiting confirmation that the railway meets safety standards.
