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
- Order Repealing Certain Regulations made Under the Railway Safety Act
- Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (Part 12 and International Harmonization Update)
- Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Canadian Update)
- Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Part 3 - Documentation)
- Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Part 5, Means of Containment)
- Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Part 6, Training)
- Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Remotely Piloted Aircraft)
Order Repealing Certain Regulations made Under the Railway Safety Act
Enabling act
Railway Safety Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. 32 (4th Supp.))
Description
The proposed Order to repeal the Ammonium Nitrate Storage Facilities Regulations, the Anhydrous Ammonia Bulk Storage Regulations, the Chlorine Tank Car Unloading Facilities Regulations, and the Handling of Carloads of Explosives on Railway Trackage Regulations would provide clarity to stakeholders by removing ambiguity between these Regulations and more modern federal regulations. The repeals would also strengthen the current oversight regime by removing duplicative and redundant provisions.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
The proposed repeals are expected to be beneficial for stakeholders as they would strengthen Transport Canada's dangerous goods' oversight regime by removing outdated regulations that could cause confusion.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
No impact is expected.
Consultations
These Regulations would be exempted from publication (do not need to be published) in the Canada Gazette, Part I.
The proposed changes are expected to be published directly in the Canada Gazette, Part II, in late 2024.
Contact information
Julie Gooch
A/Manager, Safety Policy and International Engagement
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate
Transport Canada
Email: TC.TDGRegulatoryProposal-TMDPropositionReglementaire.TC@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2023
Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (Part 12 and International Harmonization Update)
Enabling act
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (S.C. 1992, c. 34)
Description
The proposed regulatory changes would harmonize with international regulations by incorporating changes from the 22nd edition of the United Nations Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. The proposed changes would include amendments to the dangerous goods marks, classification information, shipping names, packing requirements, and special provisions.
The changes would also update requirements for the transportation of dangerous goods by air, making them clearer and more specific to Canada's needs. This includes modifications that would facilitate the transport of dangerous goods to and from remote locations.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
These changes would make it easier for Canadian consignors and carriers to operate internationally. There would be less administrative burden since these changes would eliminate the need for many equivalency certificates.
These changes would also reduce barriers to trade with the United States, which would promote economic growth and benefit consumers and businesses. They would also address issues identified by stakeholder associations in the Targeted Regulatory Review Sectoral Roadmaps.
Updating and simplifying the air requirements would make it easier for carriers and shippers to understand and follow them. Public safety and the safety of aircraft operators would be improved by updating the exemptions for explosives and emergency services, as well as adding exemptions for aerial fire suppression, enforcement officers, and bear spray needed in remote areas.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
These changes would fulfil commitments made by Canada and the United States under the Regulatory Cooperation Council. The proposed Regulations aim to bring Canada's regulations into closer alignment with those of the United States. This could promote economic growth and benefit consumers and businesses through better regulatory transparency and coordination between the countries.
Consultations
Transport Canada conducted email and online consultations in spring 2016 and spring-summer 2017. Four meetings or teleconferences were also held with stakeholders. Transport Canada received comments from industry associations, provincial governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses (like airlines), and the public. This feedback supported the proposal to update and clarify the air provisions, including changes to exemptions and defining “limited access”. The scope of “limited access” has been a topic of much discussion from stakeholders.
A 60-day online consultation with stakeholders took place in 2019 and in summer 2020, during which Transport Canada received unanimous support from stakeholders.
The proposed changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on November 26, 2022 for a 75-day public comment period. More recently, to seek industry's input on proposed envisioned modifications, Transport Canada conducted an informal consultation via email between December 27, 2023, and February 9, 2024.
The proposed changes are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, in early 2025.
Departmental contact information
Katy Joncas
A/Chief, Regulatory Development Division
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate
Transport Canada
Email: TC.TDGRegulatoryProposal-TMDPropositionReglementaire.TC@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2016
Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Canadian Update)
Enabling act
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (S.C. 1992, c. 34)
Description
These proposed changes would address comments received over time from stakeholders, as well as law enforcement, and would aim to update and clarify several domestic provisions of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. They would also propose to introduce recent updates to the international codes and other federal regulations.
Examples of the proposed changes include:
- update requirements for the transportation of dangerous goods by rail for buffer cars;
- update existing rules related to the transport of anhydrous ammonia in nurse tanks; and
- align the regulations with the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015 for the transportation of radioactive materials for medical purposes.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
These proposed changes would further improve public safety during the transportation of dangerous goods and also eliminate the need for many equivalency certificates, which are considered an administrative burden for Canadian businesses.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
The proposed Regulations would fulfil the commitment made between Canada and the United States under the Regulatory Cooperation Council by introducing new rules for the transportation of dangerous goods by rail. These changes would increase reciprocity with the United States for rail transportation. As a result, the proposed Regulations would facilitate cross-border trade, promote economic growth and, thus, benefit both consumers and businesses.
Consultations
Transport Canada conducted online and email consultations between December 9, 2016, and February 22, 2017, and between December 21, 2021, and February 4, 2022, respectively. Comments from industry associations, governmental agencies, including federal and provincial agencies, non-governmental organizations, and first responders were received.
The proposed changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 9, 2023, for a 75-day public comment period.
The proposed changes are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, in early 2025.
Departmental contact information
Katy Joncas
A/Chief, Regulatory Development Division
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate
Transport Canada
Email: TC.TDGRegulatoryProposal-TMDPropositionReglementaire.TC@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: October 2018
Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Part 3 - Documentation)
Enabling act
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (S.C. 1992, c. 34)
Description
The proposed regulatory changes would respond to recommendations stemming from the Study on the use of electronic shipping documents for the transport of dangerous goods by allowing the use of electronic shipping documents for the transportation of dangerous goods by rail and by remotely piloted aircraft.
These changes would also modernize the requirements and modify the format and specific elements of the shipping document by eliminating unnecessary information.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
The proposed changes are expected to be beneficial as they would simplify and modernize requirements, including the permission to use electronic shipping documents instead of paper (for rail and remotely piloted aircraft), which would provide greater flexibility and reduce administrative burden for industry.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
Transport Canada would continue to work with the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods and the United States' Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to identify a harmonized solution for shipping documents and for regulating electronic shipping documents whenever possible.
Consultations
The proposed changes are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, for a 75-day public comment period once the program review has been completed.
Contact information
Katy Joncas
A/Chief, Regulatory Development Division
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate
Transport Canada
Email: TC.TDGRegulatoryProposal-TMDPropositionReglementaire.TC@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2023
Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Part 5, Means of Containment)
Enabling act
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (S.C. 1992, c. 34)
Description
The Means of Containment registration scheme is being formalized through a legislative amendment. As a result, the proposed regulatory changes in Part 5 would provide requirements for means of containment facility registrations and define the conditions for suspension, revocation, and refusal of a registration. These amendments would improve the existing requirements found in Part 5 as they have not been updated for many years.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
The proposed changes are expected to be beneficial for stakeholders as they would give an easier access to registration requirements, which are currently embedded in the safety standards, and leverage Transport Canada's ability to suspend, revoke, and refuse a registration to promote public safety.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
No impact is expected.
Consultations
The proposed changes are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, for a 75-day public comment period once the program review is completed.
Contact information
Katy Joncas
A/Chief, Regulatory Development Division
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate
Transport Canada
Email: TC.TDGRegulatoryProposal-TMDPropositionReglementaire.TC@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2023
Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Part 6, Training)
Enabling act
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (S.C. 1992, c. 34)
Description
The proposed regulatory changes would require general awareness and function-specific training and assessment. This approach would better align with the training requirements defined in the international dangerous goods codes.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
The proposed regulatory changes would clarify existing training requirements and are expected to enhance the safety of the employees and reduce incidents, thereby increasing public safety and reducing operating costs due to property damage.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
The International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the United States of America Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, as well as the United Nations Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, include general awareness training and function-specific training and assessment.
Consultations
Targeted stakeholder consultations with industry, training institutes, and provincial governments will be led in mid-2024.
The proposed changes are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in late 2026 for a 60-day public comment period.
Departmental contact information
Katy Joncas
A/Chief, Regulatory Development Division
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate
Transport Canada
Email: TC.TDGRegulatoryProposal-TMDPropositionReglementaire.TC@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2017
Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Remotely Piloted Aircraft)
Enabling act
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (S.C. 1992, c. 34)
Description
The proposed regulatory changes would provide specific requirements for the transport of dangerous goods by remotely piloted aircraft, also known as drones, while minimizing safety risks.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
The proposed changes are expected to be beneficial for the drone industry and distributors of dangerous goods by setting a clear regulatory framework allowing the transport of certain lower-risk dangerous goods, and by making it easier for Canadians to access these goods.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
No impact is expected.
Consultations
Consultations with stakeholders took place from late February through November 2021. More recently, Transport Canada conducted an informal consultation by email with industry between August 15, 2023, and October 14, 2023.
The proposed changes are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in early 2025 for a 60-day public comment period.
Contact information
Katy Joncas
A/Chief, Regulatory Development Division
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate
Transport Canada
Email: TC.TDGRegulatoryProposal-TMDPropositionReglementaire.TC@tc.gc.ca
First included in Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2022