Transport Canada has taken several targeted measures to strengthen the safety of the railway and transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) systems in Canada. These measures include:
| Date | Measures |
|---|---|
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2024-07-03 |
Transport Canada published amendments to the Railway Safety Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations, to include penalties for security-related violations and for non-compliance with the Passenger Rail Transportation Security Regulations. |
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2023-12-20 |
Transport Canada published amendments to Schedule XV of the Contraventions Regulations to update fines to a more appropriate level. |
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2023-10-24 |
Transport Canada launched the Client Information Database, an online platform for registering and identifying persons and organizations who import, offer for transport, handle, or transport dangerous goods in Canada. It coincides with amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. |
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2023-10-06 |
Publication of the Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Site Registration Requirements). The Regulations introduce new requirements for persons involved in dangerous goods activities, that are subject to these Regulations, to register themselves and their sites with a new online registration database administered by Transport Canada, and to provide data related to their dangerous goods activities at those sites. This amendment is intended to strengthen the current risk-based oversight program. |
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2023-03-02 |
Transport Canada announced up to $5.4 million to fund 20 projects under the Rail Climate Change Adaptation Program, with additional funding beyond the $2.2 million allocated to the Rail Climate Change Adaptation Program coming from the Rail Safety Improvement Program. The Program supports research, development, and implementation of innovative technologies, tools, and approaches to better identify and reduce increasing risks and impacts of climate change on Canada’s rail sector. |
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2023-01-30 |
Transport Canada approved the first phase of revisions to the Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules that come into effect on May 1, 2023. |
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2022-12-15 |
Transport Canada announced a new rail safety funding program, the Program to Enhance Rail Safety Engagement, to encourage Indigenous and local communities to participate in rail safety initiatives in Canada. This new program builds on rail safety funding announced last year through the Community Participation Funding Program and further expands opportunities for those interested in sharing their knowledge and expertise about local environments. The Minister of Transport launched a Call for Proposals in December 2022, with up to $1.6 million in funding, which closed on February 16, 2023. |
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2022-11-24 |
Transport Canada announced the launch of the first call for proposals for the Climate Change and Adaptation to Extreme Weather Infrastructure initiative under the Rail Safety Improvement Program. This initiative specifically targets rail infrastructure projects meant to increase resilience to extreme weather events and advance measures to address climate change measures. It will also support rehabilitation projects that repair damage from significant weather events. The Minister of Transport launched a Call for Proposals in November 2022, with up to $10.5 million in funding, which closed on January 6, 2023. |
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2022-11-17 |
Bill C-33 was tabled in the House of Commons. The Strengthening the Port System and Railway Safety in Canada Act would modernize Canada's transportation system, making it more sustainable, competitive and resilient. |
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2022-09-02 |
The Locomotive Voice and Video Recorder Regulations came into force along with the enabling amendments to the Railway Safety Act. The Regulations set out the technical specifications and will provide proactive data to strengthen safety management systems and prevent accidents and incidents. |
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2022-07-25 |
In response to a Transportation Safety Board recommendation and to reduce the risk posed to train operations in cold weather, the Minister of Transport ordered rail companies to revise the Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules. The revisions will strengthen regular air brake inspection requirements, require a winter operating plan for equipment, and will establish test standards and periodic maintenance requirements of air brake cylinders. |
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2022-07-05 |
Transport Canada announced the Rail Climate Change Adaptation Program. The Program’s objective is to support research, development, and implementation of innovative technologies, tools, and approaches to better understand and address the increasing risks and impacts of climate change on Canada’s rail sector. The Minister of Transport launched a Call for Proposals in July 2022, with up to $2.2 million in funding, which closed on September 28, 2022. |
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2022-06-25 |
Transport Canada published proposed regulations amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Registration Database) in the Canada Gazette, Part I. The amendments would establish a registration database that will strengthen Transport Canada's dangerous goods oversight regime by providing more accurate information to the department, thereby facilitating a more agile risk-based inspection regime. |
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2022-06-22 |
The Canadian General Standards Board released the draft Safety Standard CAN/CGSB-43.147 for a 60-day consultation period. Safety standard CAN/CGSB-43.147 sets out the requirements for designing, manufacturing, maintaining, qualifying, inspecting, marking, selecting and using tank cars. |
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2022-06-15 |
Transport Canada approved the Railway Extreme Heat and Fire Risk Mitigation Rules to address extreme weather and climate change impacts on rail infrastructure. |
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2022-05-31 |
Transport Canada approved revisions that will strengthen the Rules Respecting Track Safety (effective date: May 31, 2023). These rules are critically important to rail safety and rail companies must follow them when inspecting and maintaining their track. |
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2022-05-09 |
Transport Canada approved revisions to the Canadian Rail Operating Rules and the Locomotive Inspection and Safety Rules to reduce the risk of uncontrolled train movements (effective date: October 1, 2022). |
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2022-02-05 |
Transport Canada published a Notice of Intent in the Canada Gazette, Part I, describing a path forward to implement Enhanced Train Control technologies in Canada. These technologies will provide an additional layer of safety in transporting people and goods across the country’s vast railway network. Enhanced Train Control technologies, at their most basic level of functionality, reduce the potential for human error by alerting the train crew to potential danger. At their most advanced level of functionality, these technologies can stop a train’s movement to prevent a collision or derailment. |
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2021-12-22 |
Transport Canada published a final safety culture statement for Canada's railway industry, developed in collaboration with the railway industry and other key stakeholders. |
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2021-12-15 |
Transport Canada approved another phase of changes to the Rules Respecting Track Safety, which focus on track inspection frequency and the use of automated track inspection technology. |
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2021-12-11 |
Transport Canada announced the proposed Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Part 6) in the Canada Gazette, Part 1. The amendments will provide greater clarity and certainty to employers regarding the level of training required to be compliant with the Regulations. |
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2021-08-13 |
The Government of Canada announced that it is providing over $100 million over five years, starting in 2021 to 2022, for Transport Canada to continue to advance the safe and secure transportation of people and goods by rail. |
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2021-07-30 |
Transport Canada approved changes to the Canadian Rail Operating Rules, to further reduce the risk of uncontrolled movement of railway equipment and improve safety for railway employees working in rail yards |
| 2021-12-08 |
Transport Canada announced a new rail safety component under the Community Participation Funding Program to support local and Indigenous community-based rail safety engagement. This is an open call for proposals and funding is available until March 31, 2024. |
| 2021-11-29 | Transport Canada announced new amendments to Grade Crossings Regulations, focusing efforts on reducing the risks of preventable accidents at grade crossings while being mindful of economic realities. |
| 2021-07-20 | Transport Canada launched a public consultation on the Let's Talk Transportation web page to gauge views on improving the safety culture within Canada's rail industry, which is a key component in developing a robust culture policy statement for Canada's railway industry. |
| 2021-05-31 |
Transport Canada approved changes to the Rules Respecting Track Safety. These changes are the result of a Ministerial Order that was issued in 2020 to address major risks that could cause derailments due to the condition of railway infrastructure. |
| 2021-03-10 | |
| 2021-02-22 |
Changes to the Rules Respecting Key Trains and Key Routes have been approved by Transport Canada to improve rail safety. These changes are the result of Ministerial Orders that were put in place in 2020, to address important risk factors for derailments caused by railway infrastructure, especially during winter operations. |
| 2020-11-25 |
The Minister of Transport announced that the Duty/Rest Rules for Railway Operating Employees have been updated, to better reflect the latest science on fatigue management and to keep Canadians working or living near railways safe. |
| 2020-11-06 |
The Minister of Transport issued a new Ministerial Order under the Rail Safety Act, to further reduce the risk of derailments during cold temperatures, and to improve the efficiency of Canada's winter rail operations. |
| 2020-10-08 | |
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2020-10-06 |
The Passenger Rail Transportation Security Regulations were published, to strengthen the security of passenger rail transportation in Canada. |
| 2020-09-02 |
The Minister of Transport announced the publication of the final version of the Locomotive Voice and Video Recorder Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II. |
| 2020-04-03 |
Three Ministerial Orders were issued, under the Railway Safety Act, to improve rail safety in Canada and reduce train derailments. One Order targeted speed restrictions for key trains and higher-risk key trains, while the second and third Orders directed railway companies to update the current industry rules governing track safety, and the movement of dangerous goods in Canada. These Orders will remain in place until permanent rule changes are approved. |
| 2019-05-02 |
The Minister of Transport announced the publication in Canada Gazette, Part II of amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, updating regulations on dangerous goods tank cars and Emergency Response Assistance. |
| 2019-02-08 |
A Ministerial Order was issued, under the Railway Safety Act, to all railway companies. It mandated the use of handbrakes should a train be stopped on a mountain grade after an emergency use of the air brakes. The order took effect immediately and will remain in effect as long as necessary. |
| 2019-03-19 |
The Government of Canada contributed $2.5 million over three years to establish a regulatory sandbox that facilitates the electronic sharing of shipping documents for dangerous goods. The regulatory sandbox will identify timely and flexible solutions for technological advancement in the transportation of dangerous goods and provide the evidence necessary for Transport Canada to modernize the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations with paperless alternatives. |
| 2019-04-12 |
The Minister of Transport responded to the 2018 Railway Safety Act Review Report. He accepted the report's 16 recommendations, which will help address persistent rail safety issues and position Canada's rail transportation system to meet the challenges of the next decade. |
| 2019-05-24 |
The Minister of Transport announced the publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, of proposed Locomotive Voice and Video Recorder Regulations that specify the technical requirements for rail companies to install these devices on-board their locomotives. |
|
2019-05-06 |
The Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Rail Security Regulations were published, to mitigate the security risks of transporting dangerous goods by rail in Canada. |
| 2013-07-23 | An Emergency Directive was issued, requiring securing unattended locomotives and established the number of crew members required for operating a locomotive carrying dangerous goods. |
| 2013-07-23 | A Ministerial Order was issued requiring companies to formulate rules respecting unattended locomotives, prevention of uncontrolled movements and crew size requirements. |
| 2013-10-17 | Protective Direction No. 31 under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 is issued. It requires any person who imports or offers for transport crude oil to retest, or classify, their crude oil prior to shipment, and, in the interim, ship it at the highest packing group level (PG1) until testing is completed. |
| 2013-11 | Transport Canada engaged technical and industry experts to make recommendations regarding emergency response, means of containment, and classification. |
| 2013-11-20 | Protective Direction No. 32 under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, requiring railway companies to share information with municipalities to support emergency planners and first responders, is issued. |
| 2013-12-26 | Updated Canadian Rail Operating Rules are approved, encompassing more stringent operational safety requirements for railway companies. |
| 2014-01-11 | Proposed regulatory changes to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations are published in Canada Gazette, Part I, to adopt new requirements for DOT-111 tank cars, including thicker steel requirements and top fitting and head shield protection. |
| 2014-03-21 | Stakeholder consultations regarding a comprehensive review of the liability and compensation regime for rail and developed policy options for consideration are concluded. |
| 2014-04-23 | An Emergency Directive requiring railway companies to immediately implement key operating practices, including reducing the speed of trains transporting dangerous goods, is issued. |
| 2014-04-23 | Protective Directions No. 33 and 34 were issued. Protective Direction 33 requires emergency response assistance plans for five (5) Class 3 flammable liquids: crude oil, gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, and ethanol. Protective Direction 34 removes the least crash-resistant DOT-111 tank cars from dangerous goods service. |
| 2014-06-27 | Transport Canada collaborated with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' National Municipal Rail Safety Working Group to discuss railway and TDG safety-related concerns such as improving risk assessments, emergency planning and response capability, and increasing insurance requirements for railways and shippers; |
| 2014-06-02 | Amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations that incorporate a standard with new requirements for the DOT-111 tank car standards. |
| 2014-06-12 | Published amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations in Canada Gazette, Part II, that incorporate a standard with new requirements for the DOT-111 tank car standards are published in Canada Gazette, Part II. |
| 2014-07-10 | The inaugural meeting of the Emergency Response Task Force is held. |
| 2014-07-18 | Consultations on the future standard for tank cars are launched. These consultations are part of the regulatory development process, and mark the next step in Transport Canada's ongoing actions to strengthen the transportation of dangerous goods by rail. |
| 2014-08-01 | A second stage of consultations to strengthen the liability and compensation regime are launched to strengthen the liability and compensation regime and ensure railways and shippers are held accountable in the event of an incident. |
| 2014-08-19 |
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) released its final report, including two recommendations regarding:
In addition to these recommendations, the TSB issued two Safety Advisory Letters to Transport Canada on
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| 2014-10-10 | The Government Response to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Interim Report is tabled in the House of Commons; |
| 2014-10-29 | An Emergency Directive under the Railway Safety Act was issued, establishing a standardized minimum for hand break applications and specific testing requirements, and additional physical defences for unattended trains. |
| 2014-10-29 | A Ministerial Order under the Railway Safety Act was issued, requiring railway companies to develop and enhance rules on train securement. |
| 2014-10-29 | A Ministerial Order under the Railway Safety Act, was issued, requiring certain railways (including short lines) to submit training plans to Transport Canada for review. Additionally, Transport Canada has committed to conduct an audit blitz of short lines with respect to qualification standards of operating crews to determine specific training gaps and any other issues that arises. |
| 2014-10-29 | The Safety Management System audit cycle was amended to a three-to-five year cycle and will recruit additional specialized auditors to provide guidance to inspectors on conducting audits and on the elements of an effective Safety Management System. |
| 2014-12-04 | Crude oil sampling is initiated as part of a research project to assess properties, behaviour, and hazards of crude oil transported in Canada through sampling, testing, and analysis of a variety of crude oils from different regions. |
| 2014-12-04 | The First Quarterly Report and Recommendations of the Emergency Response Task Force is presented to the Director General, Transportation of Dangerous Goods; |
| 2014-12-17 | The Grade Crossings Regulations, which established new safety standards for federally regulated grade crossings are published in Canada Gazette, Part II and immediately came into force. |
| 2014-12-18 | The Minister of Transport met with the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to talk about the importance of harmonizing rail tank car standards. |
| 2014-12-31 | Amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations are published. The updates include a ban on transporting lithium metal batteries as cargo on passenger flights in Canada, new labelling and Emergency Response Assistance Plan requirements for certain dangerous goods as well as incorporating Protective Direction 33 into the regulations. |
| 2015-01-01 | The Railway Operating Certificate Regulations, which require railway companies to hold a valid Railway Operating Certificate in order to operate on federally-regulated railways in Canada, came into force. |
| 2015-02-20 | The Minister of Transport introduced the Safe and Accountable Rail Act that will enhance railway safety and make the rail industry and crude oil shippers more accountable to Canadians. |
| 2015-04-01 |
New regulations came into force:
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| 2015-04-23 | An emergency directive is issued to slow trains transporting dangerous goods. |
| 2015-04-30 | A joint safety study with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada on locomotive voice and video recorders to improve rail safety is announced. |
| 2015-05-01 | The next generation of stronger, safer rail tank cars, the TC-117 tank car standard, is announced. |
| 2015-05-20 | The Second Quarterly Report and Recommendations of the Emergency Response Task Force were presented to the Director General, Transportation of Dangerous Goods. |
| 2015-05-20 | Amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, entitled: Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TC 117 Tank Cars) |
| 2015-05-25 | The joint Transportation Safety Board and Transport Canada Safety Study on Locomotive Voice and Video Recorders kick-off meeting is held. |
| 2015-06-06 | Amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations are published to help improve emergency response and risk analysis through stronger, more comprehensive data collection. |
| 2015-06-17 | Regulations amending the Railway Safety Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (Railway Safety Management System Regulations, 2015 and legislative requirements under the Railway Safety Act) were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II and came into force upon registration. |
| 2015-08-17 | The Emergency Directive under the Railway Safety Act, was extended, renewing requirements for railway companies to implement key operating practices, including reducing the speed of trains transporting dangerous goods. |
| 2015-08-17 | A new Ministerial Order was issued under the Railway Safety Act, renewing requirements for all railway companies and local railway companies to formulate rules and, as the case may be, revise rules respecting the transportation of dangerous goods. |
| 2015-10-14 | Rule 112 of the Canadian Railway Operating Rules came into force. |
| 2015-12-03 | An abstract of research into crude oil sampling and analysis is posted on Transport Canada's website. |
| 2016-02-19 | The Rules Respecting Key Trains and Key Routes came into force. |
| 2016-03-12 and 2016-03-13 | Transport Canada and Defence Research and Development Canada conduct Exercise Vulcan to improve Canada's response capabilities in the event of an incident involving a train carrying flammable liquids, such as crude oil. |
| 2016-03-17 | The Emergency Response Task Force (ERTF) holds its final meeting. The ERTF final report is expected in 2016. |
| 2016-03-17 | An online training tool for first responders, Emergency Preparedness for Rail Incidents Involving Flammable Liquids in Canada is developed and released by Enform, and funded in Part by Transport Canada and other stakeholders. Input to develop the tool was provided by Transport Canada's Emergency Response Task Force. |
| 2016-03-31 | Competency Guidelines for Responders to Incidents of Flammable Liquids in Transport, High-Hazard Flammable Trains are published, to assist local jurisdictions in developing training curriculum for firefighters. |
| 2016-04-20 | Regulations Amending the Railway Safety Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (Grade Crossings Regulations) are published in Canada Gazette, Part II and come into force upon registration. |
| 2016-04-28 | Protective Direction No. 36 is issued, replacing the existing Protective Direction No. 32, under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992. Protective Direction 36 requires railways to provide municipalities and first responders with even more dangerous goods information to improve emergency planning, risk assessments, and help train first responders. It also requires operators to provide jurisdictions with information that can be shared directly with the Canadian public. |
| 2016-04-28 | Transport Canada announces that additional information about railway crossings across Canada will be shared with municipalities through Canada's new Open Government Portal. |
| 2016-05-21 | The Prevention and Control of Fires on Line Works Regulations is published in Canada Gazette, Part I. |
| 2016-06-01 | Amendments to Part 8 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations are published to improve reporting requirements in order to enhance public safety and improve local emergency response. Published amendments to the Contraventions Regulations to reflect new security requirements in the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992. |
| 2016-06-06 | Protective Direction No. 37, is issued, under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, which requires top-fitting protection when TC/DOT-111 tank cars are retrofitted according to the retrofit schedule introduced in May 2015 regarding the TC-117 tank car standard. These requirements will enhance the safety of the transport of flammable liquids including crude oil and ethanol in Canada, and will further align Canadian requirements with those for retrofitted TC/DOT-111 tank cars in the U.S. |
| 2016-06-18 | Federally regulated railways are required to carry a mandatory minimum level of insurance, based on the type and volume of dangerous goods they carry, ranging from $25 million to $1 billion. |
| 2016-06-18 | The Safe and Accountable Rail Act comes into force. |
| 2016-07-25 | Protective Direction 38 is issued, which accelerates the phasing out of DOT-111 tank cars for crude oil service to November 1, 2016. The accelerated timeline will phase out unjacketed legacy DOT-111 tank cars six months early and legacy jacketed DOT-111 cars 16 months early. |
| 2016-10-12 | The Rail Safety Improvement Program is launched, which increases funding, expands the list of recipients and broadens the scope of projects that could be funded to enhance rail safety. |
| 2016-10-31 | Marked the complete removal of all legacy DOT-111 tank cars from crude oil service by 12:01 a.m. November 1, in accordance with Protective Direction 38. |
| 2016-12-06 | Let's talk transportation of dangerous goods, a website to gather feedback from Canadians, was launched with the goal of updating the training requirements in the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, with a closing date of February 28, 2017. |
| 2016-12-14 | With its inaugural meeting, the Steering Committee on First Responder Training begins to help facilitate the development of a national flammable liquids curriculum for first responders. |
| 2016-12-23 | The ERTF Final Report and Recommendations were posted on Transport Canada's website |
| 2017-02-25 et 2017-02-26 | Transport Canada and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) conduct Exercise Athéna, an exercise to improve the response capabilities of first responders to incidents involving a train carrying flammable liquids. |
| 2017-04-26 | The statutory review of the Railway Safety Act is launched a year ahead of schedule, with a focus on examining existing provisions and programs under the Act, including their suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness. |
| 2017-05-16 | The Transportation Modernization Act (Bill C-49) was introduced in the House of Commons. This legislation proposed changes to laws to improve the transportation system, help grow the economy and improve safety and security for Canadians. It is a first legislative step to deliver on early measures that are part of Transportation 2030. |
| 2017-06-09 | The Locomotive Emissions Regulations came into force with an aim to reduce air pollutants from locomotives operated by federally regulated railway companies. |
| 2017-06-16 | The Prevention and Control of Fires on Line Works Regulations came into force, which set out the planning and preventative measures required by railway companies and local railway companies to reduce the likelihood of fires caused by railway operations. |
| 2017-11-11 | A Notice of Intent is published in the Canada Gazette, Part I to outline a proposed approach to incorporate up-to-date fatigue science in current requirements and further strengthen Canada's safety regime. |
| 2018-01-09 | An abstract of research into crude oil sampling and analysis was posted on Transport Canada's website. |
| 2018-01-23 | A quick reference guide for first responders, 'You're Not Alone!', was published. |
| 2018-05-23 | The Transportation Modernization Act received Royal Assent. This legislation amends the Railway Safety Act to mandate the installation of locomotive voice and video recorders. Transport Canada will now develop regulations for locomotive voice and video recorders. |
| 2018-06-27 and 2018-06-28 | Transport Canada co-hosted a Fatigue in Transportation Forum at McGill University, bringing together participants from all modes of transportation, including stakeholders in the Canadian transportation industry and academic experts on fatigue science, to discuss risks and best practices relating to the management of fatigue. |
| 2018-09-19 | Protective Direction 39 was issued, which accelerates the phasing out of unjacketed CPC 1232 tank cars that transport crude oil 17 months early, from April 1, 2020 to November 1, 2018, and DOT 111 tank cars and unjacketed CPC 1232 tank cars that carry condensates over six years early, from April 30, 2025 to January 1, 2019. |
| 2018-12-20 | The Minister of Transport issued an Order to railway companies to revise the Work/Rest Rules for Railway Operating Employees to include most up-to-date science on fatigue. |
Transport Canada continues to work closely with U.S. railway and TDG counterparts (e.g., U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) to identify and coordinate further safety improvements in support of the integrated North American railway system.