Proposed regulations would mandate a railway operating certificate in Canada

Canadian Transport Minister Lisa Raitt on Friday unveiled new proposed federal regulations that aim to enhance rail safety oversight in Canada.

Under the proposed regulations, companies will be required to hold a valid railway operating certificate to operate on federally regulated railways in Canada. Existing companies would have two years to obtain a railway operating certificate and new companies would need to obtain one before they begin operating.

If a serious safety violation is identified, Transport Canada could immediately cease a company’s operations by suspending or canceling their certificate, said Raitt in a press release.

The operating certificates will serve as another tool to ensure railroads "maintain the highest level of safety" and become an important addition to Transport Canada's railway oversight program, she said.

Stakeholders and the public have 30 days to analyze the proposals and issue comments, which will be considered by the Canadian government before the regulations are finalized and enacted.