The mayor of Repentigny has asked the federal transport minister to suspend rail traffic through the city after the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) identified multiple deficiencies on the CN track that serves the community.
TSB preliminary observations
The request follows a TSB update to its investigation of the train derailment that occurred on July 5 in a residential neighbourhood in Repentigny. In a letter to Transport Canada dated July 10, the TSB highlighted problems observed on the CN Joliette Subdivision.
- Missing or displaced rail anchors between Mile 118 and Mile 121.
- Several ties observed to be skewed and no longer perpendicular to the rails.
- Deficiencies noted both within and beyond the immediate derailment site, including areas CN had not repaired after the incident.
"What we learned this morning is concerning, so this changes the situation," said Repentigny mayor Nicolas Dufour.
What the TSB told Transport Canada
The TSB's director of investigations, Vincenzo De Angelis, wrote that given the identified risks, Transport Canada may wish to verify the integrity of the track on the Joliette Subdivision to ensure it meets operational requirements. The board included photographs in its update showing the track conditions that prompted its preliminary observations.
Local implications and immediate questions
Senior TSB investigator Luc Régis noted that some deficiencies were found outside the area of the derailment and beyond the portion CN repaired after the July 5 incident. City officials are now seeking a pause in rail movements until CN implements corrective measures and authorities can confirm the line's safety.
| Item | Reported issue |
|---|---|
| Anchors | Missing or displaced (Mile 118–121) |
| Ties | Skewed; not perpendicular to rails |
| Extent | Problems observed beyond derailment and repaired sections |
The mayor's call places Transport Canada and CN Rail under pressure to clarify next steps and timelines for any inspections or repairs. The TSB's update is part of an ongoing investigation; it outlines preliminary observations rather than final findings. Repentigny residents and municipal officials will be watching for further direction from federal authorities and for any operational changes affecting rail traffic through the city.
