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11/20/2014
Canadian Transport Minister Lisa Raitt yesterday announced new regulations aimed at enhancing rail safety oversight in Canada.Governed under the Railway Safety Act, the regulations stipulate that federally regulated railroads will be required to hold a valid Railway Operating Certificate (ROC) to operate in Canada. To take effect Jan. 1, 2015, the ROC regulations establish baseline safety requirements that must be met before a company begins operations, Raitt said in a press release.The regulations apply to both new and existing railroads. Existing companies will have a grace period ending Jan. 1, 2017, to obtain a ROC while new railroads must obtain one prior to launching operations.The regulations empower Transport Canada to put an immediate stop to a railroad's operations by suspending or revoking its certificate if a serious violation is cited, said Raitt."These new regulations are an added tool for the government to ensure that railway operations are being conducted in the safest manner possible," she said.