Government of Canada Announces New Rail Safety Measure

On April 28, 2016, Transport Canada released Protective Direction No. 36 (PD-36), which guides the sharing of information between railways and municipalities regarding dangerous goods moving through communities. PD-36 replaces PD-32, which was previously in place, and includes several important enhancements that will improve the ability of municipalities to gather information on dangerous goods and use it to improve their emergency planning processes.

The AAMDC is pleased by the addition of a requirement for railways to disaggregate information on multiple lines running through a municipality, as well as a provision that allows municipalities to share information on dangerous goods with municipal neighbors for joint emergency planning.

Key elements of PD-36 include:

• A new requirement for railways to prepare information for the public on the types of dangerous goods crossing communities.
• A requirement that, where multiple rail lines operated by the same company cross a particular jurisdiction, local governments can request that the information they receive under the PD be disaggregated.
• A phased-in approach to reporting schedules for Class 1 railways, moving to quarterly reporting within 24 months of the PD coming into force.
• A requirement that railways work with Transport Canada to identify mechanisms through which more detailed information on the nature and volume of dangerous goods could be communicated to communities within six months of the PD coming into force, and that a solution be implemented within 30 months.
• A requirement for data to be transmitted in a consistent and usable format, and that it be made available in French, English or both official languages.
• Greater clarity provided on how local governments can share the data for emergency preparedness.

In order to receive information under PD-36, municipalities are required to register with the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre (CANUTEC). Please note, if your municipality is already registered to receive information under PD-32, it is not necessary to re-register under PD-36.

The AAMDC would like to thank the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for their continued advocacy on rail safety at the federal level, as well as their willingness to include provincial/territorial municipal associations such as the AAMDC in the process.

Enquiries may be directed to: