Railway Rules Changes 

On March 10, 2021, Transport Canada amended the Railway Locomotive Inspection and Safety Rules. These rules came into effect at a federal level on October 1, 2022.

These revisions are a result of Federal Ministerial Order 21-01. The Railway Locomotive Inspection and Safety Rules will include design and performance standards for locomotives equipped with roll-away protection, which is a feature designed to apply the air brakes when movement is detected.

The need for action was prompted by the increase of uncontrolled movements in recent years and its potential consequences for employees and communities (e.g., the Goderich - Exeter Railway train incident in February 2021 and Canadian Pacific train incident in November 2016). The Transportation Safety Board outlined concerns about the number of uncontrolled movements, noting the existence of an upward trend in their number since 2015, which peaked most recently in 2019 at 78.

Rule revisions and additional requirements are in the interest of safe railway operations to prevent further occurrences of uncontrolled movements.

To read a full brief of the Railway Locomotive Inspection and Safety Rules, please download this brief.

If you have any questions or concerns about the rules, please email Craig Mclean, Senior Safety Officer, Railway.

On March 10, 2021, Transport Canada amended the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR). These rules came into effect at a federal level on October 1, 2022.

These revisions are a result of Federal Ministerial Order 21-01. The Canadian Rail Operating Rules will clarify definitions of attended versus unattended equipment as well as incorporate requirements on the use of roll-away protection to reduce the risks of an uncontrolled movement.

The need for action was prompted by the increase of uncontrolled movements in recent years and its potential consequences for employees and communities (e.g., the Goderich - Exeter Railway train incident in February 2021 and Canadian Pacific train incident in November 2016). The Transportation Safety Board outlined concerns about the number of uncontrolled movements, noting the existence of an upward trend in their number since 2015, which peaked most recently in 2019 at 78.

Rule revisions and additional requirements are in the interest of safe railway operations to prevent further occurrences of uncontrolled movements.

To read a full brief of the CROR, please download this brief.

If you have any questions or concerns about the rules, please email Craig Mclean, Senior Safety Officer, Railway.

Transport Canada has revised the Rules Respecting Track Safety to establish requirements for concrete ties, inspection of yard tracks, performance indicators, and filing of track standards to Transport Canada.

This latest series of changes to the rules builds on two previously announced revisions in May 2021 and December 2021 that focused on training and qualification of railway personnel who inspect tracks, rail wear management, track geometry, track inspection frequency, and automated track inspection technology. These rules came into effect at a federal level on May 31, 2023.

To read a full brief, please download this brief.

If you have any questions or concerns about the rules, please email Craig Mclean, Senior Safety Officer, Railway.

On July 11, 2021, Transport Canada announced interim precautionary measures to address safety concerns resulting from extreme weather and wildfire risks.

The interim precautionary measures came about when British Columbia was dealing with unprecedented wildfires that displaced hundreds of people in Lytton, the Lytton First Nation and the surrounding areas. The elevated risks of wildfires both in British Columbia and throughout Canada continue to pose a threat to safe railway operations and public safety.

The new Railway Extreme Heat and Fire Risk Mitigation Rules make permanent the interim precautionary measures contained in Ministerial Order 21-06. These rules came into effect at a federal level on June 15, 2022.

There are two new rail safety measures. One focuses on railway-related fire prevention, while the other improves the resiliency of Canada's railway infrastructure against climate change impacts, such as flooding, landslides, and fire risks.

These rules are in effect for the fire season (April 1 to October 31) and are a part of broader federal government efforts on climate change adaptation.

The new Railway Extreme Heat and Fire Risk Mitigation Rules complement recent revisions to the Rules Respecting Track Safety, which strengthen track inspection and maintenance requirements.

To read a full brief, please download this brief.

If you have any questions or concerns about the rules, please email Craig Mclean, Senior Safety Officer, Railway.