Canada on Friday said railway companies will now face fines of up to 250,000 Canadian dollars ($229,843) for safety violations, the government’s latest move to toughen standards in the sector in the wake of last summer’s deadly derailment in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. The Canadian government said the new monetary penalties, which will vary based on the severity of the violation, will “provide a faster alternative to prosecution,” and are similar to those in place in the marine and aviation sectors. Individuals who violate rail-safety rules will also be subject to fines, but to the lesser maximum amount of C$50,000. “The proposed regulations introduce penalties as an additional enforcement tool to improve railway safety. These monetary penalties will help crack down on rule-breakers and improve the safety of the Canadian railway system,” Canadian Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said in a statement. The July 6, 2013, derailment of a crude-carrying train in […]