CN’s André LeBreux Awarded Prestigious Roger Cyr Award for His Outstanding Contributions to Rail Safety

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Operation Lifesaver Canada (OL)—a national not-for-profit dedicated to promoting rail safety—is pleased to announce that CN Police Constable André LeBreux is the recipient of its prestigious 2019 Roger Cyr Award.

The Roger Cyr Award is presented annually during Rail Safety Week (September 21-27, 2020) to an OL Rail Safety Ambassador who goes above and beyond in promoting railway safety—and Constable LeBreux most definitely fits the bill. In fact, you could say that rail safety is in his blood. His father, Marc, was with the CN Police for 33 years, sparking André’s passion for rail safety at an early age.

“André started volunteering with Operation Lifesaver as a teenager almost 20 years ago, and has remained dedicated to saving lives by spreading the rail-safety message,” said Sarah Mayes, OL Canada’s National Director. “André works tirelessly to educate Canadians about the hazards around tracks and trains. We have no doubt that his dedication has prevented countless deaths and injuries over the years. He’s a true Rail Safety Ambassador, and is very deserving of the Roger Cyr Award.”

Constable LeBreux started as a community safety officer with CN Police’s Champlain Division in 2013. Over the past eight years, he’s taken part in more than 400 rail safety presentations in both elementary and high schools. In 2019 alone, he participated in more than 100 OL presentations and community events in Quebec—helping to spread OL’s rail safety message to Quebecers of all ages.

“To say that André is passionate about everything to do with rail safety is an understatement. His face lights up when he has the opportunity to talk to Quebecers of all ages about the dangers associated with the rail right-of-way, and to teach them how to stay safe,” said Stephen Covey, CN’s Chief of Police and Chief Security Officer. “André’s passion, creativity, communication skills, and his genuine devotion to keeping everyone safe makes him extremely worthy of this award. CN is so proud of André and all that he does for rail safety. We feel extremely lucky to have him on our team.”

André’s list of contributions in promoting rail safety is a long one. For example, in 2017, he helped to establish an effective partnership with the Fédération Québécoise des Clubs Quads which led to the integration of a rail-safety course in its training program. In 2019, he also spearheaded a new partnership with Tecnic, the largest driving school in Quebec, to promote rail safety. As a result, more than 40,000 rail-safety brochures are now being distributed to new drivers each year.

Operation Lifesaver wishes to extend its congratulations and thanks to Constable LeBreux for his outstanding efforts in promoting rail safety in Canada. OL looks forward to awarding him the Roger Cyr Award at a virtual ceremony at its Annual General Meeting in October.

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 Canada

Operation Lifesaver Canada is a national public rail-safety program sponsored by Transport Canada, the Railway Association of Canada and its members, including CN, CP, VIA Rail, Metrolinx, exo, West Coast Express and Genesee & Wyoming, among others. Through its national network of Rail Safety Ambassadors, partnerships with safety councils, police, the trucking industry and community groups, and innovative tools such as its virtual-reality Look. Listen. Live. campaign, Operation Lifesaver Canada works to save lives by educating Canadians about the hazards of rail crossings and trespassing on railway property. Canadians can keep up-to-date on the latest rail safety news by visiting operationlifesaver.ca.