Transport Minister Lisa Raitt announces TDG harmonization

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TORONTO, Ont. – The honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport announced today that there would be some new regulations for identifying dangerous goods transported on Canadian roads.

The new regulations are being harmonized across Canada with the United States and United Nations rules.

“We’re going to amend the Canadian regulations to clarify the existing requirements for the display of placards and vehicles relating to dangerous goods,” said Raitt. “This actually harmonizes us with how it’s labeled in the US. And makes sure that both US and Canada are applying the same standards.”

The new standards will bring consistency through both countries and improve trade relations, the Minister said.

Transport Minister Lisa Raitt with David Bradley (president of the CTA), left and Bal Gosa ( Minister of State [Sport]), right.
Transport Minister Lisa Raitt with David Bradley (president of the CTA), left and Bal Gosa (Minister of State [Sport]), right.
“In other words, all trucks operating in Canada and the US will now have to use the same safety marks under the same conditions and that’s going to help us with cross-border trade and transportation,” she said.

In regards to collisions and emergency situations, the new amendments will bring more safety when a vehicle transporting dangerous goods is in an accident.

“First responders who arrive at a vehicle in an emergency will quickly be able to identify the contents of the vehicles and be able then to take appropriate measures,” said Raitt.

The amendments also make it clear on how the “danger” placard is to be used to spot different classes of dangerous goods, like pool chemicals or propane. The amendments also introduce new safety marks to distinguish things like organic peroxides and marine pollutants.

David Bradley, president and CEO of the Canadian Trucking Allliance (CTA) commented on the harmonization saying: “This is a measure that’s been talked about for a number of years and which has the support of the CTA board. It’s about trying to provide better information to first responders in the event of a situation and in that regard, we’re all for safety and it’s a good announcement.”

The new regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on July 22014 and will come into effect on July 142014.

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  • Hi there
    Effective date for DG chances is July 14 2014??
    Do I need to re-train all my driver before that?

  • 41,
    Colonel Frank Ching Cres
    Brampton.Please care for local truck drivers owner didn’t give respect and equal pay every one gave different pay i need equal pay same job govt make some rules about that problem and C.N TERMINAL BRAMPTON/ C.P.VAUGHAN/CN. MISC MISSISSAUGA they r more time wasted the driver some time 2 to 3 hours so u do some thing there thanks.