Publications
The Canadian Transportation Agency's mandate includes the authority to resolve various transportation disputes and complaints within its jurisdiction through mediation. Mediation can be used to facilitate dispute resolution by providing parties with an effective alternative to the more formal, court-like decision-making process of the Agency
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This is a guide for different levels of governments in Canada, including urban transit authorities, as well as others who want to acquire railway lines, sidings, or spurs that a railway plans to discontinue. If those involved cannot agree on the value of the line being discontinued (including the land, track assets, or other materials or structures), the CTA can help. The guide describes:
- steps the railway must follow before discontinuing a line (including offering to sell, lease, or transfer the line to someone else);
- what "net salvage value" means and how it is calculated;
- the different CTA services available for assessing or setting net salvage values;
- how to apply for the CTA service you want, including what information to send us;
- what happens once you apply (steps and timelines); and
- some past CTA decisions involving net salvage values.
See also: Transfer and Discontinuance of Railway Line Operations and Railway Track Determinations: A Resource Tool.
This is a guide for those involved in railway crossing projects, where the crossing is a grade separation (an overhead bridge or a subway). The guide explains:
- the costs included in a basic grade separation and how these are usually distributed (apportioned) among those involved;
- how the CTA distributes the costs when those involved cannot agree; and
- issues the CTA considers before deciding how to distribute the costs.
See also Railway Crossings: A Guide and Guide to Railway Charges for Crossing Maintenance and Construction 2019.
This is a guide for people who have land, buildings, and other structures and works right beside a railway line. There are railway safety laws that may affect people in this situation. The guide explains that:
- people located right beside a railway line may have to let the railway onto their property for safety activities (for example, to clear brush that is blocking railway sight lines or in an emergency);
- the law may limit what these people can and can't do on their property, if the activity (for example, a construction project) would affect railway safety; and
- people who suffer losses because of these safety requirements may be owed compensation.
This is a guide for towns and provinces that want to move rail lines or traffic in urban areas, but cannot get the railway to agree. It explains:
- how to apply to the CTA to order the railway to relocate; and
- the plans you must provide, including a financial plan showing the money you and others are committing to the proposed relocation.
Note: This guide also discusses certain federal government relocation grants. There is currently no money set aside for those grants. This may limit the CTA's ability to accept applications.
This is a guide for shippers and railways who are involved in Final Offer Arbitration (FOA). It explains:
- the process for finding an arbitrator the shipper and the railway agree on, which asks each side to identify their preferred arbitrators from the roster established by the CTA;
- how the CTA selects an arbitrator if the shipper and railway do not agree;
- how and when the shipper or railway can challenge the appointment of the arbitrator;
- what happens if an arbitrator leaves and must be replaced, including who pays for the arbitrator's fees up to that point.
See also: Final Offer Arbitration: A Resource Tool