CN’s Bart MacMillan awarded Roger Cyr Award for his 40-year contribution to rail safety
OTTAWA, September 26, 2018 – Operation Lifesaver Canada (OL), a national organization dedicated to promoting rail safety, today announced that CN Constable Bart MacMillan will be awarded its prestigious 2017 Roger Cyr Award.
Announced annually during Canada’s Rail Safety Week (September 23-29, 2018), the Roger Cyr Award recognizes Rail Safety Ambassadors who have made outstanding contributions to promoting rail safety in Canada.
Constable MacMillan has served as a Community Services Officer with CN since 2004. He first began volunteering with Operation Lifesaver in the 1970s while serving with the British Columbia Railway Police. At the time, Constable MacMillan was responsible for presentations and other outreach to schools and youth groups in Prince George, North Vancouver and elsewhere on the Lower Mainland. After joining CN, his responsibilities quickly expanded; by 2010, he was overseeing public rail-safety education and outreach for all of B.C
Constable MacMillan is known for his personable demeanor and ability to connect with people of all ages to get his rail safety message across. He rarely turns down an opportunity to promote rail safety to members of the public and attends countless outreach events each year. Constable MacMillan also takes the time to support and mentor other Rail Safety Ambassadors, and currently volunteers as the financial chair of OL’s B.C. Committee, which coordinates rail safety outreach across the province.
“I’ve witnessed how quickly and effectively Bart gets his rail safety message across – whether he’s speaking with children or adults,” said Sarah Mayes, National Director of OL. “After his four decades of dedicated rail safety promotion, this national recognition of Bart’s efforts is so well deserved. I know Bart’s peers across the country will join me congratulating him.”
“OL could not have chosen a more deserving recipient of the Roger Cyr Award. I am so proud of Bart and the important work that he does day-in and day-out,” said Stephen Covey, CN’s Chief of Police and OL Board member.
“He has literally devoted an entire career to promoting rail safety across the province of British Columbia. He is the ultimate Rail Safety Ambassador and we are very fortunate to have him on our team. Congratulations Bart!”
Constable MacMillan will receive the Roger Cyr Award at an awards ceremony in November.
About the Roger Cyr Award
Named after the founder of Operation Lifesaver Canada, the Roger Cyr Award for Public Rail Safety was first awarded in 1981 and is a joint initiative of OL, the Railway Association of Canada and Transport Canada. The award is open to all active Operation Lifesaver partners and volunteers who are making efforts to improve railway safety and encouraging others to follow suit.
About Operation Lifesaver
Established in Canada in 1981, Operation Lifesaver is a national rail-safety public-awareness program sponsored by Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada and its members, including CN, CP, VIA Rail, Metrolinx, exo, West Coast Express and Genesee & Wyoming, among others. Through partnerships with safety councils, police, the trucking industry, labour and community groups, Operation Lifesaver works to save lives by educating Canadians about the hazards of rail crossings and trespassing on railway property. Members of the public are invited to follow OL on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up-to-date on the latest rail safety news.