Operation Lifesaver Canada Welcome Three New Board Directors, Bolstering Expertise and National Reach

OTTAWA, ON – December 2025 – Operation Lifesaver Canada (OL) today announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors: Brad Peters, Jacqueline Roy, and Wesley Logan. These strategic additions expand the Board’s diverse expertise in shortline rail operations, marketing-communications, and safety, further strengthening OL’s mission of getting to zero railway-related incidents in Canada.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brad, Jacqui, and Wes to OL’s Board,” said Stéphane Tardif, OL’s Board Chair. “Their experience will be invaluable as we continue to innovate our rail safety programs and broaden our national impact. Their insights will make our team even stronger and help save lives across the country.”

The new directors bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization:

• Brad Peters, General Manager at NBM Railways (a division of J.D. Irving Ltd.), brings more than two decades of experience in logistics, operations, purchasing, branding, marketing, and sales within a large, diversified company. His leadership and community service, including a national director role with Habitat for Humanity Canada, will be significant assets.
• Jacqueline Roy, a recently retired Director General of Communications from Transport Canada, has an extensive public service career focused on safety and security communications. Her deep understanding of public awareness campaigns and government relations will assist with OL’s outreach initiatives.
• Wesley Logan, Director of Operations for Watco’s Agawa Canyon Railroad, is a seasoned rail professional with a career spanning shortline railway operations and management roles with companies like J.D. Irving, Bombardier, Genesee & Wyoming, and Rail America. His operational insights will greatly benefit OL’s strategic direction.

These appointments are effective immediately and are part of Operation Lifesaver Canada’s ongoing commitment to continuously improve its governance and deepen its impact. Please see the attached backgrounder for biographical notes.

About Operation Lifesaver Canada Operation Lifesaver Canada is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting railway safety and preventing collisions and fatalities at railway crossings and from trespassing on railway property. OL works in partnership with railways, governments, and law enforcement agencies to raise public awareness through innovative programs and campaigns.

Contact:

Chris Day
CDay@Railcan.ca
Admin@OperationLifesaver.ca
www.operationalifesaver.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Brad Peters

General Manager, NBM Railways (a division of J.D. Irving Ltd.)

Brad Peters brings over 22 years of extensive experience within J.D. Irving Ltd., where he has held several senior roles across diverse areas including logistics, operations, purchasing, branding, marketing, and sales. As General Manager of NBM Railways since June 2024, and previously Assistant General Manager, Brad has demonstrated strong leadership in the rail sector. He also served as General Manager of JDI Logistics, managing freight movement across North America and internationally. Brad holds a Forest Engineering degree from the University of New Brunswick and an MBA from the Ivey School at Western University. His commitment to community service is evident through his national director role with Habitat for Humanity Canada since May 2018.

Jacqueline Roy

Communications & Marketing Executive (Retired Director General, Communications, Transport Canada)

Jacqueline Roy’s distinguished public service career culminated as Transport Canada’s Director General of Communications, a role she held since December 2019. Her career began in the office of the Clerk of the Privy Council and includes managing safety and security communications files for key organizations such as the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, Public Safety Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Jackie has worked in regional positions in Moncton, Toronto, and Vancouver. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a diploma in Public Relations Management, both from McGill University. A passionate music and sports fan, Jackie brings a wealth of experience in strategic communications and public awareness.

Wesley Logan

Director of Operations, Watco

Wesley Logan joined Watco in April 2021 to spearhead the launch of their first Canadian railway, the Agawa Canyon Railroad, based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where he currently serves as Director of Operations. Prior to Watco, Wes held significant roles such as Director of Operations for J.D. Irving’s New Brunswick & Maine Railways and Train Operations Supervisor for Bombardier, overseeing 600 train crew for Metrolinx in Toronto. His extensive background also includes leadership positions as General Manager for the Central Maine & Quebec Railway and various roles within Genesee & Wyoming and Rail America. Wes commenced his railway career in 1998 as a customer service representative on the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway, bringing deep operational knowledge to the board.

Learn more about the Operation Lifesaver Canada Board of Directors and our mission to prevent railway-related incidents at www.operationlifesaver.ca.

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Over the last week, Operation Lifesaver and our partners held events and served up information across the country – at in-person presentations and sporting events, on social networks and digital channels, and at rail concourses and crossings. The message has been consistent: when it’s you versus a train, There is No ‘Undo’ Button.

“We’ve seen incredible engagement and resonance with our message this week – especially among young people,” said Operation Lifesaver National Director Chris Day. “We of course have more work to do, and we will continually find new and innovative ways to reach people where they are at. We will be dogged in determination until we get to zero.”

Day added: “Rail safety is a shared responsibility. We all have a role to play in preventing track tragedies.”

Operation Lifesaver Canada’s latest digital campaigns continue through October. Our new partnership on men’s mental health will grow over time. And, in the coming weeks, we will launch a new Roblox game to connect with young people and gamify rail-safe learning.

These efforts and others are fuelled by people: a large and growing group of volunteers and rail safety ambassadors, which includes our latest Roger Cyr Award winners, who will be formally recognized at a ceremony in Ottawa in November.

Operations Lifesaver Canada’s programs, campaigns, and resources are available year-round at www.operationlifesaver.ca.

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Media Interviews:
Operation Lifesaver Canada
admin@operationlifesaver.ca

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The unveiling is one of many events taking place across Canada this week to mark Rail Safety Week 2025 (RSW25), held September 15–21. This year’s theme – “There is No ‘Undo’ Button” – underscores the life-or-death consequences of unsafe behaviour around railway tracks and trains.

“Every year, far too many Canadians are killed or seriously injured in preventable rail-related incidents,” said Chris Day, National Director of Operation Lifesaver Canada. “These decals may look simple, but they serve as a powerful reminder: stay alert, follow the signals, and make safe decisions around tracks and trains.”

“The City of Ottawa is committed to making our roads safer for everyone,” said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. “That includes ongoing efforts to educate the public about safety at railway crossings and across our entire transportation network. Through our Road Safety Action Plan, we are investing in engineering, education, and enforcement to protect the most vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. But even with these improvements, safety depends on all of us following the rules of the road.”

OL Canada is grateful of the support we receive from municipalities across Canada as we work to stop track tragedies. OL Canada attends municipal association conferences federally and provincially each year to engage with municipal leaders and remind them that, as cities grow and intensify, it’s important to remind people that everyone has a role to play in ‘getting to zero’ incidents, injuries, and deaths.

The Brookfield unveiling was attended by representatives from the City of Ottawa, Safer Roads Ottawa, and Operation Lifesaver Canada, alongside community members and students. Local officials emphasized the importance of working together to raise awareness and prevent tragedies before they happen.

Quick Facts

• Every year across North America, more than 2,300 people are killed or seriously injured in rail-related incidents.
• In the first six months of 2025, more than 130 crossing and trespassing incidents occurred in Canada alone, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
• Crossing incidents in Canada were up nearly 14 percent compared to the five-year average.

About Operation Lifesaver Canada

Operation Lifesaver (OL) Canada is a national not-for-profit dedicated to preventing collisions at rail crossings and trespassing on railway property. OL is funded by Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada and its members, including CN, CPKC, VIA Rail, exo, Metrolinx, and others. Working in partnership with railways, governments, law enforcement, safety organizations, and communities across the country, OL saves lives by educating Canadians about the hazards associated with tracks and trains.

For more information about Rail Safety Week 2025 and Operation Lifesaver Canada’s programs, visit: operationlifesaver.ca

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Media Contact:
Operation Lifesaver Canada
admin@operationlifesaver.ca

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OTTAWA – Sept. 15, 2025 – Today marks the start of Rail Safety Week (#RSW25) in Canada and Operation Lifesaver reminds everyone that when it comes to rail crossings and trespassing There is No ‘Undo’ Button.

Quick facts:

• Every year across North America more than 2,300 people are struck or killed in rail-related incidents.
• In the first six months of this year, in Canada alone, there were more than 130 incidents resulting in serious injury or death at crossings or related to trespassing.
• In fact, the number of trespassing incidents from January to June is up 46.8% compared to the five-year historical average.
• The number of serious injuries related to trespassing is up 250% in that same period compared to the five-year historical average.

“Our mission is to get to zero – zero rail-related incidents, zero injuries and zero deaths. Sadly, the latest numbers show we have a lot of work to do to get to zero,” said Operation Lifesaver Canada National Director Chris Day. “Our message this week is simple: you can’t take back a bad decision. There is No Undo Button.”

This week, Operation Lifesaver and its partners are hosting events and activities across Canada to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of unsafe behaviour around railway tracks and trains.

Week in brief:

• Today, we are releasing our latest #STOPTrackTragedies video. Click here to watch XXX’s story.
• Tomorrow, hundreds of law enforcement personnel and other first responders will participate in Operation Clear Track – Canada and North America’s largest rail safety enforcement blitz.
• Wednesday, we look at the role municipalities can play in improving crossing safety and we launch a new public safety announcement targeting the nearly 300,000 Canadians who drive and deliver as part of the so-called gig economy.
• Thursday, we are pleased to celebrate Indigenous engagement efforts in keeping communities safe.
• On Friday, we focus on trespass and suicide prevention by launching two new Today Is Better videos and a new initiative involving men’s mental health.
• On Saturday, we celebrate OL Canada volunteers, including our newest Rail Safety Ambassadors and Challenge Coin recipients. We will also announce of the latest Roger Cyr Award winners.
• On Sunday, we remind folks that no photo, selfie, or video is worth the risk of serious injury or death.

Connect with Operation Lifesaver on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Amplify our content or share your own rail-safety posts using the hashtags #RSW25 and #RailSafety.

For more information, including a full calendar of events, please visit https://www.operationlifesaver.ca/initiatives/campaigns/rail-safety-week-2025/

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For media interviews, please contact:
Operation Lifesaver Canada
admin@operationlifesaver.ca

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June 3, 2025, Ottawa, ON — Every year, in Canada and around the world, far too many lives are needlessly lost or forever changed because of unsafe behaviour around railway property.

Whether it’s ignoring signals at a level crossing or trespassing on tracks and railway property, hundreds of Canadians have been injured or killed in recent years. Operation Lifesaver Canada – along with our domestic and international partners – want to do our part to get to zero. That’s why Operation Lifesaver Canada is proud to support two important international initiatives this month: the 4th annual International Trespass Awareness Day (TRESPAD) on June 4, and the 17th edition of International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) on June 5. Led by the International Union of Railways (UIC), these campaigns bring together countries, rail companies, and safety advocates from around the world to raise awareness and prevent railway-related tragedies. This year’s theme of “Safe decisions – every time” highlights the importance of personal responsibility and making the right choices around tracks and trains.

“Whether it’s a shortcut across the tracks or trying to beat a train at a crossing, these are decisions that can have lasting, even deadly, consequences,” says Chris Day, National Director of Operation Lifesaver Canada. “These international days of action remind us that rail safety is a shared responsibility. That collaboration at home and abroad is key to making a difference.” Each year, nearly 50 countries participate in ILCAD and TRESPAD, sharing best practices and launching national campaigns to combat risky behaviour. The 2025 launch events are being held in York, United Kingdom.

“These global safety campaigns aim to raise awareness, encourage behavioural change, and ultimately save lives,” says Day. “Risk assessments, technical innovation, education and enforcement are all part of the mix of collective actions that will get results. With everyone doing their part, we can get to zero (rail-related incidents, deaths, and injuries). But we still have work to do.”

According to UIC’s safety data, level crossing users accounted for 94% of the nearly 10 rail-related victims per week reported in 2023 across 33 countries. Most of these incidents were avoidable. In Canada, too, the majority of railway incidents are caused by people making risky decisions—decisions that can be prevented through education and outreach. Operation Lifesaver Canada will continue to promote public education, community partnerships, and industry collaboration to stop these incidents before they happen. Through programs like Look. Listen. Live., and campaigns like #STOPTrackTragedies, Operation Lifesaver is committed to reducing railway trespassing and crossing collisions to zero.

To learn more about how you can stay safe around railway property or to access our suite of safety resources, visit our newly redesigned website www.operationlifesaver.ca. Get the resources. Have the conversations with the people you love. You could help save a life.

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Media Contacts:
Chris Day
National Director, Operation Lifesaver Canada
admin@operationlifesaver.ca

Isabelle Fonverne
Senior Advisor, Safety and Interoperability, UIC
fonverne@uic.org

The post Global Collaboration, Canadian Commitment to ‘Get to Zero’ Rail Crossing and Trespassing Incidents appeared first on Operation Life Saver.

“At Operation Lifesaver Canada, we are working to get to zero : Zero rail-related incidents, zero deaths and injuries, zero grade crossing collisions and zero trespassings. We can only ‘get to zero’ with strong partners as rail safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play. Our Roger Cyr Award winners represent the best of the best in terms of bringing people together constructively to drive results and save lives.”

Chris Day

Former National Director, OL Canada

The post Recognizing Rail Safety Champions: Meet the latest Roger Cyr Award Winners appeared first on Operation Life Saver.