NEW: Federal – Transport Canada grants new temporary exemptions for railway personnel

On March 15, Transport Canada granted a new set of temporary exemptions to certain sections of the rules and regulations pertaining to the qualification of railway personnel under the notice of exemption X 21-04.

TC says that the purpose of these temporary exemptions is to mitigate the continued health risks involved with railway personnel travelling and assembling in groups to renew their qualifications during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Temporary exemptions (subject to certain terms and conditions) are being issued for the following rules and regulations:

• subsection 10(1) of the Railway Employee Qualification Standards Regulations,
• paragraphs 7.1c) and 7.3d) of the Rules Respecting Track Safety; and
• Part A (vii) of the General Rules of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules.

For any questions regarding this process, please contact Sean Rogers, director, regulatory affairs at sean.rogers@tc.gc.ca. To discuss technical aspects on this issue, contact Stephanie Lines, director, operations management at stephanie.lines@tc.gc.ca.