Mr. Frank Branch, M.L.A.
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 5H1

Dear Mr. Branch:

This is in reference to your letter of 20 May 1987, regarding Mr. Wesley MacDonald of Bathurst, a CN employee. I have noted the enclosed copy of an excerpt from questions in the Legislative Assembly regarding this matter.

I have also noted your comments about the circumstances surrounding the derailment in which Mr. MacDonald was the locomotive engineer. CN officials have provided assurances that there is no evidence to suggest that composition brake shoes, which have been in use on the major portion of CN's locomotive fleet for a number of years, had any bearing on the accident.

CN officials have indicated that Mr. MacDonald's suspension is currently the subject of an appeal under the grievance procedure in effect between CN and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. I would note that Mr. MacDonald's suspension is the type of issue which must be handled between CN and its employees under the collective agreement. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to intervene in such a matter.

I hope the foregoing has helped to clarify my department's position on this issue and thank you for bringing your comments to my attention.

Your sincerely,

John C. Crosbie

Minister of Transport

Ministre des Transports

CANADA