You can use this page to find information on planned and potential regulatory initiatives that Transport Canada expects to introduce over the next two years. The full versions are published in the Canada Gazette. It also lists public consultation opportunities and a departmental contact point for each regulatory initiative.
On this page
Initiative(s) planned for Canada Gazette, Part I
- Regulations made under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Administrative monetary penalties)
- Regulations amending certain regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Exemptions labelling)
- Regulations amending certain regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (VIN lookup tool)
- Regulations amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Minimum noise requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles)
- Regulations amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (School bus safety)
- Regulations amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Automatic emergency braking systems)
- Regulations amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Advanced driver assistance systems)
- Regulations amending certain Regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Information gathering) New!
Initiative(s) planned for the Canada Gazette, Part II
Initiative(s) planned for Canada Gazette, Part I
1. Regulations made under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Administrative monetary penalties)
Enabling acts
Motor Vehicle Safety Act (S.C. 1993, c. 16)
Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act (S.C. 2018, c.2)
Description
This regulatory initiative is part of Transport Canada's Transportation Sector Regulatory Review Roadmap.
The initiative is intended to strengthen the Minister of Transport's enforcement and compliance authorities in the area of road safety.
The Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act changed the Motor Vehicle Safety Act requirements by adding new provisions and authorities for issuing fines. The proposed regulations would introduce the requirements for the new administrative monetary penalty program that Transport Canada expects will be more efficient and effective than the current legislative process.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
Transport Canada expects no major impacts to Canadians, including businesses. These new regulations will only apply to companies that fail to follow the requirements of the:
- Motor Vehicle Safety Act
- Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations
- Motor Vehicle Restraint System and Booster Seat Safety Regulations
- Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations
Companies that do not follow the requirements of the Act or Regulations could be subject to an administrative monetary penalty, which would be less onerous on the Company and the Government compared to the current legislative process.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
The proposed amendment would improve alignment between modes that are regulated by Transport Canada with similar administrative monetary penalty provisions.
Consultations
Transport Canada sought input from interested Canadians on the proposed regulations through a public consultation period held in late 2020, on the Let's Talk Transportation platform. Transport Canada intends to engage with those who commented in further informal consultations in early 2021.
Transport Canada plans to pre-publish the proposed changes in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in late 2021 with a 75 day comment period.
Departmental contact information
Jean-Michel Roy
Acting Manager, Standards & Regulations
Multimodal and Road Safety Programs
Transport Canada
Telephone: 343-542-8928
Email: Regulationsclerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca
First included in the Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: October 2018
2. Regulations amending certain regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Exemptions labelling)
Enabling acts
Motor Vehicle Safety Act (S.C. 1993, c. 16)
Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act (S.C. 2018, c.2)
Description
This regulatory initiative is part of Transport Canada's Transportation Sector Regulatory Review Roadmap.
The Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act changed the Motor Vehicle Safety Act exemption requirements by removing the vehicle production quantity limitations and financial hardship wording. This added flexibility to the exemption process.
The proposed regulatory amendment will align the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations with the changed Motor Vehicle Safety Act. It will update the Regulations to reflect the Minister's new authority to grant exemptions, facilitating longer lists of exempted standards on the compliance or information labels. It will also remove the financial hardship clause and allow temporary labels to be applied to surfaces other than glazing.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
Transport Canada expects no major impacts to Canadians, including businesses.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
While this regulatory initiative is not part of a formal regulatory cooperation agreement, the regulatory proposal will need to respect both the North American Free Trade Agreement and Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
Consultations
Transport Canada sought input from interested Canadians on the proposed regulations through a public consultation period which began in late 2020 and ended in early-2021.
Transport Canada plans to pre-publish the proposed changes in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in mid-2022 with a 75 day comment period.
Departmental contact information
Jean-Michel Roy
Acting Manager, Standards & Regulations
Multimodal and Road Safety Programs
Transport Canada
Telephone: 343-542-8928
Email: Regulationsclerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca
First included in the Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: October 2018
3. Regulations amending certain regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (VIN lookup tool)
Enabling acts
Motor Vehicle Safety Act (S.C. 1993, c. 16)
Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act (S.C. 2018, c.2)
Description
The proposed regulatory amendments to the regulations would introduce additional requirements for regulated companies to post specified information about safety recalls on their website. It would also designate and require high-volume passenger vehicle and motorcycle companies to have a free web-based service to allow consumers to search for vehicle-specific recall information using their 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN).
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
There may be business impacts.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
The proposed amendments would improve alignment, where possible, with similar requirements in the United States.
Consultations
Transport Canada sought input from interested Canadians on the proposed regulations through a public consultation period held in late 2020, on the Let's Talk Transportation platform. Transport Canada intends to engage with those who commented in further informal consultations in the spring of 2021.
Transport Canada expects that there will be a formal consultation process of 75 days following pre-publication in Canada Gazette, Part I, which Transport Canada expects to take place in early 2022.
Departmental contact information
Jean-Michel Roy
Acting Manager, Standards & Regulations
Multimodal and Road Safety Programs
Transport Canada
Telephone: 343-542-8928
Email: Regulationsclerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca
First included in the Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: October 2018
4. Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Minimum Noise Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles)
Enabling act
Motor Vehicle Safety Act (S.C. 1993, c. 16)
Description
The proposed regulations would require electric and hybrid-electric vehicles to use a sound system to alert visually impaired persons that they're operating nearby.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
There are no expected business impacts.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
It was proposed that the Canadian safety regulations may be changed to introduce Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 141, Minimum Noise Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles, to align with requirements in Europe and the United States. Manufacturers would be given the choice of complying with the requirements of either the United States or United Nations regulations for the vehicles specified in the scope of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 141.
Transport Canada paused work on the change between mid-2018 and late 2019 pending ongoing discussions at the United Nations World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) regarding possible development of a quiet vehicles Global Technical Regulation. Although the United Nations quiet vehicles working group has not yet resumed, Transport Canada has restarted work on the regulatory change to propose the new Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 141.
Consultations
Transport Canada asked for input from interested Canadians on the proposed regulations through a public consultation period held in early 2018 through the Let's Talk Transportation platform.
Transport Canada plans to pre-publish the proposed changes in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in mid-2021 with a 75 day comment period.
Departmental contact information
Jean-Michel Roy
Acting Manager, Standards & Regulations
Multimodal and Road Safety Programs
Transport Canada
Telephone: 343-542-8928
Email: Regulationsclerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca
First included in the Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2018
5. Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (School Bus Safety)
Enabling acts
Motor Vehicle Safety Act (S.C. 1993, c. 16)
Description
This proposed regulatory amendments are tied to the recommendations of the Task Force on School Bus Safety established on January 21, 2019 by the federal, provincial and territorial Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety.
School buses are the safest way to transport children to and from school, more so than any other means of transportation. Governed by some 40 federal safety standards, including the requirements for structural safety features, school buses are specifically designed to keep children safe during an accident. Even with this excellent safety record, there is room for improvement. The federal, provincial and territorial Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety requested that the Task Force identify opportunities to further strengthen school bus safety.
In February 2020, the Task Force published its report which included recommendations that all jurisdictions explore the application of the following safety measures based on their assessed needs:
- infraction cameras: to help prevent dangerous incidents caused by passing motorists;
- extended stop arms: to further deter motorists from passing while children are entering or leaving the bus;
- exterior 360° cameras: to better detect and protect children and other vulnerable road users around the outside of the bus; and
- automatic emergency braking: to help reduce the severity of a collision or avoid it entirely.
Consideration should also be given to exploring ways to pair this feature with other technologies for increased safety.
The proposed amendments would introduce voluntary requirements for infraction cameras and require extended stop arms and exterior 360° cameras on all newly manufactured school buses regulated under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act in Canada, while automatic emergency braking would be addressed under a separate regulatory initiative.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
There may be business impacts.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
Departmental officials are considering ways to align any proposed regulations with those in other jurisdictions, where possible. The next step is to work with provincial and territorial counterparts, through the Task Force on school bus safety, in Transport Canada's proposal to regulate the above technologies on school buses.
Consultations
Transport Canada sought input from interested Canadians on the proposed amendments through a public consultation period held in late 2020, on the Let's Talk Transportation platform.
Transport Canada plans to pre-publish the proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in mid-2022 with a 75 day comment period.
Departmental contact information
Jean-Michel Roy
Acting Manager, Standards & Regulations
Multimodal and Road Safety Programs
Transport Canada
Telephone: 343-542-8928
Email: Regulationsclerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca
First included in the Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: August 2020
6. Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Automatic Emergency Braking Systems)
Enabling acts
Motor Vehicle Safety Act (S.C. 1993, c. 16)
Description
The proposed regulatory amendments would mandate that an automatic emergency braking system be fitted on most newly manufactured vehicles intended for use on public roads, ranging from light vehicles (e.g. passenger cars, pickups, minivans and multi-purpose passenger vehicles) to heavy vehicles (e.g. truck tractors and buses, including school buses). Automatic emergency braking is a safety system which can help to reduce the severity of a collision or avoid it entirely by automatically applying the brakes when there is an immediate risk of hitting an object. Automatic emergency braking can function at high and low speeds, and can potentially intervene in an impending collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
There may be business impacts.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
Departmental officials are considering ways to align any proposed regulations with those in other countries, where possible. Next steps include exploring an outcome-based approach, which could facilitate harmonization by avoiding Canadian-specific prescriptive requirements which may diverge from requirements in other countries.
Consultations
Transport Canada sought input from interested Canadians on the proposed regulations through a public consultation period held in late 2020, on the Let's Talk Transportation platform.
Transport Canada plans to pre-publish the proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in early 2022 with a 75 day comment period.
Departmental contact information
Jean-Michel Roy
Acting Manager, Standards & Regulations
Multimodal and Road Safety Programs
Transport Canada
Telephone: 343-542-8928
Email: Regulationsclerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca
First included in the Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: August 2020
7. Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems )
Enabling acts
Motor Vehicle Safety Act (S.C. 1993, c. 16)
Description
The proposed amendments would encompass a variety of advanced driver assistance systems mandating that certain systems be fitted on newly manufactured vehicles while providing a set of minimum requirements for others. The individual advanced driver assistance systems are each applicable to a variety of vehicle types; therefore, the proposal would impact newly manufactured heavy, medium and light vehicles as well as motorcycles. Advanced driver assistance systems encompass a number of different technologies which can either increase driver situational awareness or take control of steering, braking or throttle inputs. As such, they can have an impact on the safety of vehicle occupants and other road users including vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
There may be business impacts.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
Departmental officials are considering ways to align any proposed regulations with those in other countries, where possible. The next step is to gather information on international requirements that may be applicable.
Consultations
Transport Canada sought input from interested Canadians on the proposed regulations through a public consultation period held in late 2020, on the Let's Talk Transportation platform.
Transport Canada plans to pre-publish the proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in late 2022 with a 75 day comment period.
Departmental contact information
Jean-Michel Roy
Acting Manager, Standards & Regulations
Multimodal and Road Safety Programs
Transport Canada
Telephone: 343-542-8928
Email: Regulationsclerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca
First included in the Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: August 2020
8. Regulations Amending certain regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Information gathering) New!
Enabling acts
Motor Vehicle Safety Act (S.C. 1993, c. 16)
Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act (S.C. 2018, c.2)
Description
The proposed regulatory amendments would detail requirements for what records companies would be required to buy and maintain for prescribed classes of vehicles.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
There may be business impacts.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
The proposed amendments would improve alignment, where possible, with similar requirements in the United States.
Consultations
Transport Canada sought input from interested Canadians on the proposed regulations through a public consultation period held in late 2020, on the Let's Talk Transportation platform. Transport Canada intends to engage with those who commented in further informal consultations at the beginning of 2021.
Transport Canada expects that there will be a formal consultation process of 75 days following pre-publication in Canada Gazette, Part I, which Transport Canada expects to take place in late 2022.
Departmental contact information
Jean-Michel Roy
Acting Manager, Standards & Regulations
Multimodal and Road Safety Programs
Transport Canada
Telephone: 343-542-8928
Email: Regulationsclerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca
First included in the Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: April 2021
Initiative(s) planned for Canada Gazette, Part II
9. Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act
Enabling acts
Motor Vehicle Safety Act (S.C. 1993, c. 16)
Description
These proposed regulatory amendments to the Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations and Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations are intended to update an obsolete standard, enhance clarity and maintain the intended application of the Regulations. It is essentially administrative in nature and will be published directly in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations:
The Canadian federal regulatory definition for replacement winter tires and their marking (the “alpine symbol”) is found in the Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations. To be called a winter tire, a candidate tire must meet or exceed a performance level relative to an industry-standard reference test tire, in a standardised test. These winter tire safety requirements are harmonized with those of the United States.
The industry-standard reference test tire is now obsolete, and it is estimated that stocks of the tire will be exhausted by early 2021 at the latest. The standards organization responsible for the test tire and the test standard has identified a replacement test tire, and has updated the test standard.
Industry stakeholders need this new test tire and test standard in order to continue to self-certify that winter tires meet the regulatory requirements, and Transport Canada needs the tire and test standard to continue safety compliance testing of winter tires. To this end, amendments to the regulations is needed to facilitate uninterrupted winter tire safety and compliance testing.
Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations:
The Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 1106 on Noise Emissions (Standard 1106) has been a part of the regulations since 1972 and contains the requirements related to maximum allowable exterior noise emissions for most prescribed classes of vehicles. Manufacturers can adhere to one standard, or in some cases have a choice of listed standards applicable to their vehicle model. The intent has always been to limit the maximum exterior noise emission of vehicles while allowing manufacturers to choose the method (standard) that they may have already used in other markets, to avoid increased testing burden. Each method was deemed to meet the overall goal of limiting maximum exterior noise emissions.
The previous versions of the standard incorporated by reference testing procedures that had become outdated and were potentially preventing new technologies from being implemented in the marketplace. Key industry stakeholders had requested that the outdated noise emissions provisions be replaced with updated testing standards that are appropriate for new technologies being brought to market by these stakeholders. Therefore, Standard 1106 was most recently amended in 2016 (SOR/DORS/2016-318) and was published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on December 28, 2016.
However, industry has recently raised some issues in regards to those amendments. It appears that as a result of the amendments, two pairs of standards could be interpreted as mandatory instead of allowing manufacturers to select their preferred method from the applicable pair. Therefore, minor housekeeping amendments are needed to clarify the true requirements.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
Transport Canada expects no major impacts to Canadians, including businesses.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
Transport Canada expects that these changes will not affect regulatory cooperation efforts.
Consultations
Transport Canada plans to publish the proposed changes in the Canada Gazette, Part II, in late-2021.
Contact information
Jean-Michel Roy
Acting Manager, Standards & Regulations
Multimodal and Road Safety Programs
Transport Canada
Telephone: 343-542-8928
Email: Regulationsclerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca
First included in the Transport Canada's Forward Regulatory Plan: December 2020