New Directive to Provide More Information on Dangerous Goods Shipped Through Canadian Cities

A new federal "protective direction" will require railway operators to provide more data on the shipments of dangerous goods that travel through Canadian cities. Protective Direction 36, which came into effect on April 28, calls for railways to share more information with municipalities and first responders to help them with emergency planning and risk assessment. The information provided to municipalities will also be available to the general public through Canada’s Open Government

Portal website

Complying with these requirements will be the responsibility of the railway operators, however, utilities do purchase and ship chemicals that are classified as dangerous goods, so it’s useful to know of changing shipping requirements. This information will also be an important part of municipal emergency planning and management – activities that utilities should be actively participating in.