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Regional Rail Transportation

Transport Canada Contact Information

Transport Canada is responsible for the oversight of "federally regulated railways". It inspects and audits all aspects of railway operations including the Railway Safety Act, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Canada Labour Code.

Rail transportation is a vital component of the Atlantic Provinces transportation system, linking the region to the Canadian economy and providing access to the United States market. Transport Canada monitors the eight federal and three provincial shortline railways operating in the region. Our rail system contains approximately 2,400 kilometers of track and over 2,000 railway crossings.

The Surface Branch assures a high level of safety in rail transportation, including the transportation of dangerous goods by road or rail. Its Rail Safety unit oversees all rail safety regulatory functions, including strategic and operational planning to administer the Railway Safety Act in the region. Industry practices are monitored through inspections and audits in order to ensure compliance with standards, rules and regulations.

Shortline railways in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are under provincial jurisdiction and follow similar rules and regulations that apply to federal railways. Transport Canada is also contracted by the provinces to provide monitoring and enforcement services on their behalf.

The Branch's Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) unit is responsible for the strategic planning and operational management of the transportation of dangerous goods as defined by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. There are over 6000 companies that are shippers, receivers or importers of dangerous goods in the Atlantic Region. These companies use road, rail, air and marine to move their products from location to location.

For more information about Rail Safety, please contact:

Rail Safety
95 Foundry Street, 4th Floor
Moncton, N.B.
E1C 8K6

Telephone Number: 506-851-7040

Date modified:
2009-09-18