REGULATORY FAILURE & CRIMINAL CHARGES IN LAC MEGANTIC

Today's Waterloo Region Record carrys this story "Lac-Megantic paid a heavy price for regulatory failure". The trio at the bottom of this scandal are being scapegoated for years of sucessful industry lobbying to avoid proper safety rules and regulations. Incompetent political leaders combined with "...a too cosy industry relationship." set the stage for this disaster. Transporation Safety Boards, unions and others gave warnings for years about inadequate rail cars, undermanned trains and a lack of inspectors. Where are the criminal charges for those at the top? The answer is absolutely nowhere in sight. perhaps after the dust settles there may be some civil suits naming those truly guilty. In that case count on confidentiality clauses, gag orders etc. to avoid public embarassment. Meanwhile it will probably be taxpayers money paying off the victims. Call it injustice or call it corruption, both words apply.