You can use this page to find information on planned regulatory initiatives that Transport Canada expects to bring forward over the next two years.
On this page
- Enhanced Train Control Regulations
- Railway Personnel Training and Qualifications Regulations
- Regulations Amending the Railway Safety Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (For security)
- Regulations Amending the Railway Safety Management System Regulations, 2015
Enhanced Train Control Regulations
Enabling act
Railway Safety Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. 32 (4th Supp.))
Description
Enhanced Train Control (ETC) technologies in Canada will provide an additional layer of safety in transporting people and goods across the country's vast railway network. Enhanced Train Control technologies would be able to alert train crews to potential danger (such as exceeding speed restrictions or upcoming stop signal indications). At their most advanced level of functionality, Enhanced Train Control technologies can also detect a safety threat and stop a train's movement to prevent a collision or derailment.
The proposed Regulations would help mitigate rail incidents caused by human errors such as locomotive operation above the permitted speed or failure to comply with a signal indication. While Transport Canada is in the early stages of developing the ETC requirements, the objective of the Regulations would be to:
- Detail minimum functionalities for ETC systems, including interoperability specifications; and
- Establish criteria to determine the level of ETC technologies required based on the risk evaluation of the corridor.
Impacts on Canadians, including businesses
Enhanced Train Control technologies will increase the level of safety on Canada's rail network by reducing collisions and derailments caused by human error. There will be financial impacts on businesses. The "one-for-one" or the small business lens may apply.
Regulatory cooperation efforts
No impact is expected.
Consultations
Since 2022, Transport Canada has been consulting with the rail industry, as well as other jurisdictions and departments. Consultations are ongoing in order to assess cumulative impacts of these requirements on regulated parties.
The proposed Regulations are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in 2025 with a 60-day public comment period.
Contact information
Stéphanie Plouffe
Director
Regulatory Affairs, Rail Safety
Transport Canada
Email: stephanie.plouffe@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2023
Railway Personnel Training and Qualifications Regulations
Enabling act
Railway Safety Act (1985, c. 32 (4th Supp.))
Description
The proposed Regulations would provide a more comprehensive and robust training and qualification regime by replacing the existing Railway Employee Qualification Standards Regulations which have not been updated since 1987.
The proposed Regulations would be performance-based. Railway companies would have the flexibility to determine how the training and qualifications should be conducted. It will have minimum requirements to account for technological changes and changes in duties. The requirements will be for areas including:
- Initial training;
- Continuing training; and
- Additional training such as familiarization and crew resource management.
This approach would:
- Fill gaps and address identified issues to bring the Regulations up to date to account for new technologies;
- Harmonize a portion of the Regulations with requirements in the United States; and
- Set out minimum standards to complement management-based requirements in the Railway Safety Management System Regulations 2015.
Impacts on Canadians, including businesses
There may be business impacts. The "one-for-one" or the small business lens may apply.
Regulatory cooperation efforts
Some of the proposed policy elements harmonize with the Federal Railroad Administration's training and qualification regime in the United States.
Consultations
Transport Canada consulted stakeholders using the Let's Talk Transportation forum in 2021 and had targeted stakeholder meetings in 2021 and 2022. The proposed Regulations are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in mid-2024 with a 60-day public comment period.
Contact information
Stéphanie Plouffe
Director
Regulatory Affairs, Rail Safety
Transport Canada
Email: stephanie.plouffe@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2018
Regulations Amending the Railway Safety Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (For security)
Enabling act
Railway Safety Act (1985, c. 32 (4th Supp.))
Description
The proposed regulatory changes would modify Schedule 1 of the Railway Safety Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations by designating additional provisions of the Railway Safety Act under Part 1, and adding a new Part to designate provisions of the Passenger Rail Transportation Security Regulations. It will provide the Minister of Transport with an additional tool to effectively enforce these Act provisions and the Regulations, which are a key part of Government of Canada's rail security regime.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
The proposed changes would enhance the railway system in Canada, which would benefit Canadians and businesses.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
No impact is expected.
Consultations
Transport Canada pre-published the proposed changes in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on July 2, 2022 with a 30-day public comment period.
Transport Canada plans to publish the changes in the Canada Gazette, Part II, in mid-2024.
Departmental contact information
Stephen Larkin
Director
Program Operations
Transport Canada
Email: Stephen.larkin@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2021
Regulations Amending the Railway Safety Management System Regulations, 2015
Enabling act
Railway Safety Act (1985, c. 32 (4th Supp.))
Description
Stakeholders recognize that safety management systems are vital for a company to maintain a high level of safety and to constantly improve upon it. The proposed regulatory changes would enhance the Railway Safety Management System Regulations, 2015 by introducing provisions that are expected to lead to improved safety outcomes. The objectives of the proposed amendments would be to:
- Implement outcome-based provisions to improve effectiveness;
- Promote an improved safety culture;
- Clarify key terminology; and
- Address fatigue-related risks.
Impacts on Canadians, including businesses
There may be business impacts. The "one-for-one" or the small business lens may apply.
Regulatory cooperation efforts
In 2024, Transport Canada intends to consult the United States (U.S.) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and railway companies regarding the impacts of the proposed amended Regulations on railway companies that operate in both countries.
Consultations
Transport Canada consulted stakeholders using the Let's Talk Transportation forum in 2022. The proposed regulatory changes are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in late 2025 with a 60-day public comment period.
Contact information
Stéphanie Plouffe
Director
Regulatory Affairs, Rail Safety
Transport Canada
Email: stephanie.plouffe@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: November 2023