Rules

Rules are submitted by industry and approved by the Minister of Transport. They are intended to be responsive and adaptive to the needs of each railway company or local railway company.

Below is a list of Transport Canada approved Rules.

Displaying 1 - 10 of 19

Title Description Approved
Canadian Rail Operating Rules These rules prescribe operating requirements for employees involved in the movement of trains in Canada.

In effect: October 1, 2022
Duty and Rest Period Rules for Railway Operating Employees These Rules define the requirements related to the hours of work and rest periods for employees who are in positions designated critical to safe railway operations and are defined as employees in this rule.

In effect:
• Part A - May 25, 2023 for freight railway companies and on November 25, 2024 for passenger railway companies.
• Part B (with the exception of section 5) - May 25, 2023 for freight railway companies and on November 25, 2024 for passenger railway companies.
• Section 5 of Part B - November 25, 2022.
• Part C - May 25, 2023 for freight railway companies and on November 25, 2024 for passenger railway companies.
• Part D - November 25, 2021.

Important Note: The Work Rest Rules remains in effect in parts until all parts of the Duty and Rest Period Rules are in effect.
Duty and Rest Period Rules for Railway Operating Employees - Application Document
Pull-By Inspection Rules These rules prescribe the minimum safety standards when inspecting cabooseless trains.

In effect: November 2, 1990
Railway Equipment Reflectorization Rules These rules prescribe the minimum standards governing the specifications; the application; the inspection and maintenance of retroreflective material on railway equipment.

In effect: December 17, 2019
Railway Extreme Heat and Fire Risk Mitigation Rules Railway Extreme Heat and Fire Risk Mitigation Rules

In effect: June 15, 2022
Railway Freight Car Inspection & Safety Rules These Rules prescribe the minimum safety standards for freight cars.

In effect: December 9, 2014
Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules These rules prescribe the minimum safety standards for the safe operation of train brakes on all freight and passenger trains.

In effect: December 1, 2025
Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules These rules prescribe the minimum safety standards for the safe operation of train brakes on all freight and passenger trains.

In effect: May 1st 2023

Important Note: The September 29, 2023 version of these rules comes into effect on December 1, 2025
Railway Locomotive Inspection and Safety Rules These rules prescribe the minimum safety standards for locomotives.

In effect: October 1, 2022