Statement

Today, the Governor General presented the Public Service Award of Excellence to members of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) team of employees who worked on the Lac-Mégantic rail accident investigation. The team received the award in the category of Exemplary Contribution under Extraordinary Circumstances which “recognizes teams or departments that have perfomed their duties in an exemplary manner under extraordinary circumstances and in a manner that constitutes a contribution of unusual merit to Canada.”

These employees were part of an even larger team who spent time deployed in difficult circumstances at the accident site gathering evidence, who prepared laboratory reports, who worked on different parts of the investigation and helped draft the final report, and who supported unprecedented communications efforts with Canadians and the media throughout the investigation.

The release of the final report, just 13 months later, is evidence of the remarkable team effort for this complex and top priority investigation. I would like to add my congratulations to these exceptional employees and to recognize their outstanding contribution and ongoing professionalism.

Kathy Fox, Chair