UPDATED: Rail blockades could see cities run out of chlorine for water treatment

There are concerns that the rail blockades, which have halted CN freight trains, could have an impact on drinking water.

Cathy Campbell, president of Responsible Distribution Canada, told NEWSTALK 1010's Moore in the Morning that rail is used to transport chlorine, a chemical used in water treatment.

If the blockades continue, she believes some municipalities could be under boil-water advisories within days.

The city of Toronto tells NEWSTALK 1010 its chlorine supply is delivered by truck so it would not feel the impact.

Campbell says chemicals for airplane de-icing would also be affected.

"We certainly don't want to go another week," she says. "That would be seriously critical."

Responsible Distribution Canada is an industry group representing chemical distribution companies.

WATCH: D.C. Jeffrey Northrup's funeral

Toronto Constable Northrup was killed while responding to a call downtown. His funeral will be held at BMO Field
Ontario unveils three-step reopening plan, starting with outdoor activities

As of May 22, outdoor recreational amenities – like golf courses and tennis courts – will be allowed to reopen, the government said
Stricter public health measures in two Ontario regions as vaccine push continues

Hamilton is going into the strictest grey-lockdown phase of Ontario's pandemic response plan today, while the Eastern Ontario Health Unit enters the second-strictest red zone.
Canada's vaccine rollout shifts into high-gear this week

The federal public health agency says it's expecting nearly 1.2 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine this week.
UPDATE: Four taken to hospital in Oshawa house fire; four residents unaccounted for

Oshawa Fire says in a series of tweets that crews responded to a fire on Olive Avenue between Simcoe and Ritson around 1:00 a.m. Monday.
No verdict announced in trial of Michael Spavor

The Intermediate People's Court of Dandong, China, says on its website that it held a closed-door hearing against Spavor on charges of spying and illegally sending state secrets abroad.
AstraZeneca doses from US expected in Canada by the end of March: Procurement minister

"We will receive 1.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the United States within the next week or two."
St. Patrick's Day revellers urged to follow public health guidelines

The main concern is that gatherings and celebrations could turn into COVID-19 super-spreader events.
Three mass vaccination clinics open in Toronto today

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the Scarborough Town Centre, and the Toronto Congress Centre are all scheduled to open at 11:00 a.m. today.