The Railway Association of…

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC), representing nearly 60 freight and passenger railway operators across Canada, agrees with the proposed regulation excluding certain lands from the as-of-right variation provisions, specifically those near existing or planned railway infrastructure.

Railways operate 24/7, creating land-use compatibility challenges and safety risks that must be addressed through proper proactive planning. The FCM-RAC Proximity Guidelines (Proximity Guidelines) provide best practices and guidance on how to safely develop on lands adjacent to rail. A key feature of the Proximity Guidelines is the use of setback distances. Even a minor as-of right variation could undermine the Proximity Guidelines and negatively impact safety, contribute to trespassing, and increase complaints about operational noise and vibration.

We thank the Province of Ontario for explicitly excluding rail-adjacent lands in ERO 025-0463 and for recognizing the Proximity Guidelines in both the Freight Supportive Guidelines and in the “Connecting the GGH: A Transportation Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.”

RAC welcomes continued collaboration with the province, municipalities, and industry stakeholders to ensure growth is sustainable, efficient, and safe.