Proximity Initiative Frequently Answered Questions (FAQ)

How do the Proximity Guidelines apply to commercial or industrial developments?

The guidelines would be applied the same, if possible, but it is a best practice to consult with the railway to solicit their feedback for your specific development as well as with the local government to ensure compliance with local land use planning policies.

If you have questions regarding a specific development, it is best to contact the railway company directly to request their feedback on potential mitigation options best suited to your specific needs.

I would like feedback from a railway to inform my development. Who can I contact?

Railway	Phone Number	Website
CN Rail	1-888-888-5909	https://www.cn.ca/en/contact-us/
Canadian Pacific	1-800-766-7912	https://www.cpr.ca/en/contact-us/community-connect
Barrie Collingwood Railway	1-866-989-5310	www.candorail.com
BNSF Railway	604-520-5200	www.bnsf.com
Cape Breton and Nova Scotia Railway:	514-948-6999	www.gwrr.com
Capital Railway	613-842-3600	www.octranspo.com
Central Manitoba Railway	1-866-989-5310	www.candorail.com
Great Western Railway	306-297-2777	www.greatwesternrail.com
Goderich Exeter Railway	514-948-6999	www.gwrr.com
Huron Central Railway	514-948-6999	www.gwrr.com
Keewatin Railway Company	204-623-5255	www.krcrail.com
Last Mountain Railway	306-992-5915	www.lastmountainrailway.com
Metrolinx	416-874-5900	www.metrolinx.com
New Brunswick Southern Railway	1-877-838-6277	www.nbsouthern.com
Ontario Northland Transportation Commission	705-472-4500	www.ontarionorthland.ca
Ontario Southland Railway	519-471-9606	www.osrinc.ca
Ottawa Valley Railway	514-948-6999	www.gwrr.com
Quebec Gatineau Railway	514-948-6999	www.gwrr.com
Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway	418-968-7603	www.qnsl.com
Montreal exo	514-287-8726	www.exo.quebec
Southern Ontario Railway	514-948-6999	www.gwrr.com
Southern Railway of British Columbia	604-521-1966	www.sryraillink.com
Trillium Railway	905-735-5529	www.trilliumrailway.com
VIA Rail	1-800-681-2561	www.viarail.ca

You can use the Railway Association of Canada’s Rail Atlas to look up your location on a map to identify the railway company.

I would like to know how often I can expect a train to come by my residence.

Railways operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, meaning you may see or hear a train any time of the day or night. Related rail work may occur at any time of the day or night as well.

I have concerns over noise, vibrations, and other proximity issues, what can I do as a homeowner or tenant?

You should contact the railway company directly to voice your concerns. We also recommend that you contact your local government to determine what mitigation measures were recommended as part of the initial development proposal and whether they were implemented. The Canadian Transportation Agency has Guidelines for the Resolution of Complaints Over Railway Noise and Vibration that can help persons, municipal governments, and railway companies to resolve noise and vibration concerns. If no results are achieved after reasonable attempts to collaborate on the issue, you may file an application with the Canadian Transportation Agency. More information can be found on the Canadian Transportation Agency website. It is important to remember that railways are obliged, by federal law, to meet the rail freight transportation needs of customers. They must also meet those needs efficiently and cost-effectively, in order to keep their customers competitive.

You should contact the railway company to discuss the specific situation and how best to account for your local context.

No, while the guidelines do not have the force of law, they do serve as best practice for new development in proximity to railway infrastructure. However, your community can voluntarily commit to following the guidelines. If you do make the commitment to implement the guidelines, please send us an email at jsaskiw@railcan.ca and we will feature you on our list of communities that have adopted the guidelines.