Page 10 - Index

Figure 2.

but rather only to gain an understanding Iran acknowledged that its own military shocked and horrified, especially since
of what happened and (again) why. was responsible for accidentally firing so many of them live not far from similar
All of what I’ve just covered makes for a missiles and downing the aircraft. tracks that carry similar trains and sim-
strong safety investigation methodology: People across Canada, and around the ilar products every day. And along with
a robust, time-tested way to determine world, were shocked. Quite understand- that shock and horror, they—again, quite
the causes and contributing factors of an ably, they wanted three things: justice for understandably—sought justice, account-
occurrence, to identify safety deficiencies victims, accountability, and someone to ability, and someone to blame.
and risks in the transportation system, blame. I want to be clear: seeking justice and
and to communicate those deficiencies I say “quite understandably” as a hu- accountability—even punishment—for
and risks to the people and organizations man being. Because this event was indeed such tragedies is perfectly understanda-
that are best placed to take action. It’s a a tragedy. A total of 176 passengers and ble and human. However, the mandate of
system that’s focused on safety, not on crew died, including 55 Canadian citizens the TSB and other independent accident
blame. And because it’s focused only on and 30 permanent residents. People lost investigation agencies doesn’t include
safety, this system should be able to work friends, family, loved ones. Of course, they those things.
just about anywhere. In theory, anyway. were shocked; of course, they were hurt. Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. YouTube.
In practice, well…we all live in the real And, of course, they sought and continue I’ve heard it argued that maybe our jobs
world. And in the real world, as I said to seek justice. were easier before social media came
earlier, there’s often a hurricane going on. Almost 8 years before PS752, the TSB along, amplifying everything and giving
One that doesn’t just affect us, but can was involved in another high-profile, everyone a pulpit and access to a wider
actually be a threat to the way we work. complex, and headline-grabbing occur- audience. Before social media, we only
I’ll start with perhaps the most geopo- rence. This one was even closer to home, had to contend with “traditional” com-
litically complex investigation that we at when a freight train carrying 7.7 million munication tools like letters to the editor
the TSB have dealt with in recent years: litres of petroleum crude oil derailed or TV cameras pushed in our faces. And
the downing of Ukraine International Air- in the town of Lac-Mégantic, Qué. The while it’s true that we’re bombarded on all
lines Flight PS752 on Jan. 8, 2020, in Teh- explosion and subsequent fire destroyed sides with questions, comments, opin-
ran, Iran. Within days of the occurrence, the centre of town and took the lives of ions, and demands for answers—which
the government of the Islamic Republic of 47 people. There, too, Canadians were creates a louder, busier, and, at times,
10 • October-December 2021 ISASI Forum