Image description: Rail Transportation Network
The map of Canada shows the layout and extent of the Canadian rail system. This system currently has over 44,917 route-kilometres of track broken down into Canadian National track (48.8 per cent of the system, represented by blue lines), Canadian Pacific track (29.1 per cent, represented by red lines) and other railways track (22.2 per cent, represented by green lines).
Competitiveness and efficiency
In 2022, Transport Canada both pre-published and consulted on the Transportation Information Regulations (TIR). The TIR’s were finalized in 2022 and went to the Canada Gazette on January 4th, 2023. These regulations aim to significantly enhance the data reported by Class 1 rail carriers, increase transparency, and ultimately, support efforts to improve supply chain resiliency and overall fluidity within the freight rail network.
In addition, for the first time since 2019, Transport Canada organized two (2) hybrid meetings, including in-person representation of the Commodity Supply Chain Table (the Table), in Edmonton and Ottawa. The meetings featured representatives from the Supply Chain Task Force as panellists to discuss and address transportation system issues, and to discuss next steps following the release of the Task Force’s Report. The Table brings together over 150 participants from the freight rail-based supply chain, for national, inclusive discussion forum focused on the resiliency, efficiency, and effectiveness of Canada’s freight rail-based transportation system.
In 2022, the Government of Canada began exploring options to improve passenger rail frequencies, on-time performance, and shorten travel times in Southwestern Ontario. To this end, the Government of Canada has contracted the services of an external advisor to analyze passenger demand and route options to deliver passenger rail services that best meet the needs of communities in Southwestern Ontario. The external advisor will examine concrete options to enhance service in Southwestern Ontario for potential future integration into the High Frequency Rail (HFR) project. A final report to the federal government is expected by the end of 2023.
High Frequency Rail
The High Frequency Rail Project in the Toronto-Quebec City Corridor will reduce pollution and provide better and faster service between the major centres of Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Montréal, Ottawa, Peterborough and Toronto. Expected to be the largest infrastructure project Canada has known in 50 years, it will also create jobs for the next decade.
The procurement process will help select a private developer partner to work in collaboration with VIA HFR, the newly created subsidiary of VIA Rail, to design and develop the High Frequency Rail project.
The Government of Canada is committed to transforming intercity passenger rail to meet the needs of travellers. This commitment is evidenced by the major milestones the project has achieved this past year, and the momentum we are building with the launch of the formal stage of the procurement process.
- In March 2022, the Government of Canada launched the procurement process with the Request for Expressions of Interest. 54 formal responses were received for the RFEOI.
- An RFEOI update was issued on October 31, 2022, to summarize certain key themes stemming from the RFEOI process and provide additional information and clarifications to some elements of the HFR Project.
- In November 2022, a wholly owned subsidiary of VIA Rail (VIA HFR) was established to be a dedicated project office that will work collaboratively with the private developer partner to design, develop and optimize High Frequency Rail.
Safety and security
Passenger Rail Transportation Security Regulations
During 2022, Transport Canada fully implemented the Passenger Rail Transportation Security Regulations and continued to provide oversight of the regulations (which commenced October 6, 2020). It issued industry guidance documents, inspection checklists, and standard operating procedures to help railway operators better understand requirements to meet regulatory compliance, as well as additional oversight tools for the inspectorate to undertake their oversight activities.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Rail Security Regulations
The Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Rail Security Regulations were implemented and applied to railway carriers and railway loaders across Canada who transport, handle and/or store dangerous goods. Oversight of these regulations, though activities such as security risk assessment and security plan reviews, comprehensive inspections, visual security inspections, on-site inspections, began in 2019 and continued into 2022.
In addition to developing and issuing applicable industry guidance documents, inspection checklists, and standard operating procedures for the inspectorate and industry stakeholders, Transport Canada continues to implement its compliance and enforcement approach to address non-compliance.
Proposed Amendments to the Railway Safety Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations
Transport Canada pre-published proposed amendments to the Railway Safety Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I, on July 2, 2022, to ensure greater protection of rail infrastructure. The purpose for the proposed amendments is to deter unauthorized interference with the railway network, to promote cooperation with Transport Canada enforcement officers, and to ensure the consistent and effective enforcement of Canada’s rail security regime. They are in response to a rise in security incidents in Canada’s rail transportation system and intended to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians. The amendments would enable the use of administrative monetary penalties to address violations if needed.
Responding to Emergencies and Threats
By exercising its regulatory authorities and working closely with stakeholders and industry partners, Transport Canada continues to make efforts to limit harm to Canadians and the environment, and to mitigate disruptions in the transportation system. In recognition of the importance of common situational awareness to address emergencies, Transport Canada continued to serve as a federal focal point for monitoring and information sharing of significant incidents impacting the transportation system through its Situation Centre (SITCEN). The SITCEN maintains a 24/7 state of readiness, in coordination with other federal operations centres, including Public Safety’s Government Operations Centre (GOC).
Green transportation
Rail transportation makes Canada’s transportation network more efficient by reducing congestion and wear-and-tear on roads and highways. A 100-car freight train carrying 10,000 tonnes of goods can replace 300 trucks. Railways can also play an important role in supporting the Government’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Under a series of voluntary agreements with the Railway Association of Canada, Transport Canada has been working with the rail industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The latest agreement with the Railway Association of Canada covered the 2018-2022 period. Under the agreement, emissions intensity levels were tracked through annual reporting.
The agreement also set greenhouse gas emissions intensity reduction targets for 2022, including a 6% reduction for Class 1 freight and intercity passenger, and a 3% drop for regional and shortlines. Under the agreement, Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada collaborated to produce the Rail Pathways Initiative, a two-phased approach to examine leading decarbonization pathways and to align government and industry’s work to reduce emissions from the rail sector.
Transport Canada is currently engaging the Railway Association of Canada to renew the agreement with an ambitious climate vision, including absolute emission reduction targets for 2030.