OTTAWA– On Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in a member’s statement, Mr. Joe Preston MP for Elgin – Middlesex – London rose in the House of Commons and addressed the importance of Rail Safety Week in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to acknowledge this week as Operation Lifesaver Safety Week in Canada.

Operation Lifesaver is a national public education program, made up of volunteers, whose mission is to promote rail safety and reduce the needless loss of life, injuries and damages caused by crossing collisions and trespassing incidents.

This week, communities across the country will be participating in numerous activities including everything from mock collisions to crossing blitzes and trespassing enforcement exercises. These activities are sure to hit home and will make Canadians understand that safety is no game!

And to mark rail safety week, our Government has announced more than $10.4 million for 103 safety improvement projects at railway crossings across Canada.

This funding will allow us to continue to work with rail companies and communities to improve the safety of rail crossings for motorists and pedestrians throughout Canada.

We believe that by promoting public awareness of rail safety we can help save lives.

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