If the short line or regional railway will operate only within the boundaries of a province, the operation will be provincially regulated. The applicable legislative requirements will be that of the province in question. Although similar in philosophy, the legislative requirements of each province differ. Prospective provincial short line or regional railway operators should contact the Transport Ministry of the province for further information.
If the short line or regional railway will operate interprovincially, or across an international boundary, the operation will be federally regulated. The legislation which governs federally-regulated railways is the Canada Transportation Act. Section 90 of that Act specifies that "no person shall construct or operate a railway without a certificate of fitness". Prospective federal short line or regional railway operators may apply to the Canadian Transportation Agency for a certificate of fitness. The Canadian Transportation Agency website is http://www.cta-otc.gc.ca.
ARRC and its members would be pleased to assist prospective short line or regional railway operators in obtaining authorities to operate either provincially or federally. For more information, please contact Bob Ballantyne, President, ARRC, at ballantyne@arrc.ca.