The main legislation that gives Transport Canada responsibility for overseeing rail safety is the Full list of regulations, rules and standards pursuant to the Railway Safety Act.
The Act introduced the basic principle that railway companies are responsible for the safety of their own operations. On the other hand, Transport Canada has the power to protect people, property and the environment by ensuring railways operate safely within a national framework. Under the Act, we maintain the regulations to advance safety and oversee the federal railways.
The objectives of the Railway Safety Act are found in section 3(1) of the Act:
- promote and provide for the safety and security of the public and personnel, and the protection of property and the environment, in railway operations;
- encourage the collaboration and participation of interested parties in improving railway safety and security;
- recognize the responsibility of companies to demonstrate, by using safety management systems at their disposal, that they continuously manage risks related to safety measures; and,
- facilitate a modern, flexible and efficient regulatory scheme that will ensure the continuing enhancement of railway safety and security.
The Act sets out requirements for anyone operating over the tracks of a federally regulated railway. This doesn’t only include federal railway companies. If a local railway company operates on federally regulated track, it must follow the Act as well (e.g., provincially regulated short lines, light rail transit or tourist trains).
Who must follow the Act
The Act applies to railway companies. It also applies to road authorities and private authorities who share ownership of grade crossings across Canada.
Road authorities are organizations that manage public roads in Canada. Depending on their location, they may include:
- federal departments and agencies
- provinces
- municipalities
- band councils
Private authorities are businesses or people that privately own paths, trails and roads crossing railway tracks. They may include the following types of land owners:
- residential
- agricultural
- industrial
- commercial
- recreational
To operate legally, these railways must have a Railway Operating Certificate issued by Transport Canada. They must also, by law, have a safety management system (SMS).
Full list of regulations, rules and standards pursuant to the Railway Safety Act