CARLA BECK’S TEAM CALLS FOR URGENT RAIL SAFETY ACTION AS GRIEVING HUSBAND SEEKS MEETING AT LEGISLATURE

REGINA — Carla Beck’s team is calling for immediate action to improve rail crossing safety as a grieving husband came to the Legislature Tuesday seeking answers and accountability following the tragic death of his wife.

Matthew Thompson’s wife Alyssa passed away in December from a fatal crash at Lovel Street Rail Crossing in Churchbridge, SK. This occurred only thirty-five days after their wedding.

This rail crossing was long known by residents of their rural Saskatchewan community of Churchbridge to be dangerous. A similar incident took place in 2023, an accident at Lovel Street Rail Crossing took the life of one man and left two children injured.

Following the accident in 2023, the community made calls to protect drivers and add increased safety measures to that railway to prevent any future accidents, but no one listened.

“This loss is heartbreaking — and it was preventable,” said Darcy Warrington, Shadow Minister for Highways & Infrastructure. “When communities have been raising concerns for years and nothing changes, that is a failure of leadership.”

Warrington said the tragedy underscores a broader issue across Saskatchewan, where smaller communities are often left without the resources to implement critical safety upgrades at rail crossings. In this case, local officials have pointed to the high cost of installing proper warning systems — costs that municipalities cannot shoulder alone.

“People deserve the same level of protection whether they live in a major city or a small community,” said Hugh Gordon, Associate Shadow Minister for Community Safety.

“No family should have to come to the Legislature to beg for basic safety measures. The government must act now to prevent another tragedy.”

The Opposition is calling on the Minister of Highways and Infrastructure to meet with Thompson and to work with federal partners, municipalities, and rail companies to:

· Accelerate installation of modern crossing protections, including arms and signal lights

· Identify high-risk crossings and prioritize upgrades

· Ensure stable, shared funding so municipalities are not left behind

-30-

Latest posts

SCOTT MOE’S FAILURE TO ADDRESS ADDICTION & HOMELESSNESS CRISIS LEAVES LLOYDMINISTER RATEPAYERS FOOTING THE BILL

City Says ‘Social Disorder’ Has Cost Lloydminster $3 Million To Date

LLOYDMINSTER – Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck says Scott Moe’s failure to address the province’s addictions, homelessness and mental health crisis is forcing communities like Lloydminster to shoulder costs that are the responsibility of the provincial government.

BECK SAYS BETTER ECONOMIC STRATEGY NEEDED AS INDICATORS SHOW LAGGING JOBS, INVESTMENT AND MORE UNDER MOE

Saskatchewan Lost 6,100 Jobs While Nationally 88,000 Jobs Were Created

REGINA — Carla Beck says a growing list of economic indicators show Saskatchewan's economy is losing momentum and highlights the urgent need for a new economic development strategy focused on diversification, investment, innovation, and affordability.

REGINA POLICE REPORT NEARLY 14 OVERDOSES A DAY IN REGINA

Frontline Services Continue To Face Rising Overdoses In Saskatchewan’s Largest Cities

REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is raising alarm bells following newly released data from Regina Police Service (RPS), which shows there were 415 overdoses in Regina in April. This represents a sharp increase from the 242 overdoses that were reported in March.

FRONTLINE WORKERS SAY FREQUENTLY BROKEN ELEVATORS JEOPARDIZING PATIENT CARE AT ROYAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Revelations About Major Patient Care Concern Come Days After Photos Of Mould Growing In Hospital ICU Surfaced

SASKATOON — Leaked notices and testimony from frontline workers provided to Carla Beck’s team indicates elevators at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon are frequently broken or stall when in use, forcing medical professionals to perform lifesaving procedures under dangerous conditions.

NDP Caucus Office