Amending the Winter Tire Regulations

Transport Canada wants feedback from the Canadian public and stakeholders on potential amendments to regulations on winter tires. Your feedback is invaluable as we consider these changes. Please share your comments and any concerns you have on the potential impact of these amendments.

These are the items that we are proposing to amend. If the regulations need to be updated, Transport Canada would begin the regulatory amendment process.

Updating the definition of a winter tire

In the current regulations, the definition of a “winter tire” states that if a tire doesn’t meet the winter tire traction requirements, it’s not considered a winter tire. However, we’ve found that the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) logo is used on some tires that don’t meet the winter tire test criteria. This could confuse consumers when shopping for winter tires. Our proposal would require manufacturers to place the 3PMS logo only when the snow traction testing requirements are met. This would be achieved by modifying its definition in the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 139.

Removing the snow traction testing requirement

Since 2021, the definition of “winter tire” in the Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations includes specific testing conditions and comparison to a 14” standard reference test tire (SRTT14) and a 16” standard reference test tire (SRTT16). This change allowed manufacturers the option to test with either the SRTT14 or the SRTT16.

However, SRTT14 tires are no longer being made and stock will run out soon. The regulation needs to be amended to only allow SRTT16 to be used to self-certify winter tires.

Incorporating an Ice Symbol Standard

For the purpose of communicating with consumers, the option of adding an ice symbol on the side of the tire is being considered for tires that meets ice grip test requirements. This is a proactive measure we’re proposing to improve winter tire safety.

The ice symbol indicates that a tire meets specific performance criteria on ice-covered roads and that it should provide enough traction in severe ice and snow conditions. This amendment could improve road safety during winter months and possibly reduce weather-related accidents.

Adopting the UN r.117 Tire Standard Alternative for Compliance

Several manufacturers are testing their winter tires under European standard UN Reg. 117. This standard requires a snow traction test which is similar to the test Canada require. It also has an optional braking test on snow which has equivalent performance requirement as the traction test.

Transport Canada is considering adopting this standard as an alternative for complying with Canadian regulations on snow traction requirements for winter tires.

Harmonizing Canada’s regulations with European standards would allow tires approved in Europe to be sold in Canada without extra testing. This change could give manufacturers a more flexible certification process, ease international trade, and expand winter tire choices for Canadian consumers.

Transport Canada is looking for research/testing data to justify adopting R.117 as an alternative option, as long as it provides an equivalent level of safety compared to the current Canadian standard.

Parasitic tread block chunking

Manufacturers highlighted a problem with the endurance test requirements for passenger car tires. The test consists of mounting the tire on a test rim and inflating to the tire's specified pressure. One of the failure criteria is called "tire chunking" where a piece of tread separates from the tire.

For winter tires, manufacturers noted that this failure was not a sign of the tire’s structural integrity. Instead, it was "parasitic tread block chunking" caused by the tire reaching a much higher temperature than it would experience in the real world. Manufacturers report that this failure mode currently keeps them from importing better performing winter tires to the Canadian market.

Transport Canada is looking for research/testing data and ideas on what should be amended in the standard to justify modifying this particular tire chunking failure requirements for winter tires.

How to participate

Send us an email

Please submit your comments by email: RegulationsClerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca, and include “Update to Winter tire definition” in the subject line.

Please email us your feedback by 18 February, 2025.

Contact us

Transport Canada
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks St
Ottawa ON K1A 0N5

Toll-free telephone: 1-866-995-9737
Local telephone: 613-990-2309
TTY: 1-888-675-6863
Fax: 613-954-4731
Email: RegulationsClerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca

Privacy Statement

Why are we collecting your personal information?

Any personal information you choose to provide is collected for the purpose of gathering stakeholder and public feedback for consideration on potential regulatory amendments to the regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Privacy Notice

The personal information you provide to Transport Canada will be collected by the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Framework sub-program under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, subsection 20(1), and handled in accordance with the Privacy Act.

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Participation in this survey is on a voluntary basis. There is no requirement to provide your personal information.

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Your feedback will be de-identified and published on the Canada Gazette website if we make regulatory amendments, as required under the Treasury Board Secretariat Cabinet Directive on Regulations.

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