A union representing rail workers is calling for major changes after the tragic derailing of a Canadian Pacific train near Field killed three railway workers.

“Something has gone terribly wrong right now. Change is needed.”

Teamsters Canada Rail Conference spokesperson Christopher Monette says since November of 2017 the rail industry in this country has seen eight deaths.

“One is our opinion is high. A single death is high. But eight is completely unacceptable for us. It is something that the government really needs to start looking at seriously.”

Monette says rail companies write all their own rules and there needs to be a review of rail safety in Canada.

“We need independent experts writing the rules and writing them in consultation with all stakeholders not just the companies whether it is for fatigue, or a mechanical issue, or brake specifications on mountain inclines.”

Last Monday a runaway CP train derailed and plunged into the Kicking Horse River killing Trainee Daniel Waldenberger-Bulmer, engineer Andrew Dockrell, and conductor Dylan Paradis.