FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Why is Transport Canada developing the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Client Identification Database (TDG CID)
Transport Canada is developing TDG CID to improve its knowledge of stakeholders involved in the transport of dangerous goods. This will help Transport Canada promote public safety in the transport of dangerous goods by facilitating risk-based oversight of dangerous goods sites. The development of TDG CID addresses recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada that Transport Canada improve its knowledge of stakeholders involved in the transport of dangerous goods.
2. Who will be required to register with Transport Canada?
Any person (individual or organization) that handles, offers for transport, transports, or imports dangerous goods in Canada will be required to register with Transport Canada and provide the required pieces of information. Those who are currently exempt under Part 1 (Section 1.15 - 1.50) of the TDG Regulations will not be required to register. Examples of persons not required to register include those transporting dangerous goods that are:
- For personal use (e.g., BBQ propane tanks);
- As part of a medical device or for emergency response purposes;
- In direct support of farming activities with limited exposure to public areas;
- Under the direction or control of a Minister (e.g., National Defence).
3. What information will businesses have to provide to Transport Canada?
To complete their online registration, businesses that handle, offer for transport, transport, or import dangerous goods in Canada will have to provide Transport Canada with information that would fall under two categories:
- Company identification (e.g., company name and address; province(s) of operation)
- Transportation of dangerous goods activities (e.g., types of dangerous goods transported; mode(s) of transportation used; volume of dangerous goods shipments)
4. When will Transport Canada launch TDG CID?
Transport Canada expects to launch TDG CID in 2020-2021. Following the launch of TDG CID, all businesses that handle, offer for transport, transport, or import dangerous goods in Canada will be required, by law, to register with Transport Canada and provide the required pieces of information.
5. Will the information that businesses provide to Transport Canada via TDG CID expire/need to be renewed?
Yes. Businesses will be required to renew their registration at regular intervals. When renewing their registration, businesses will be required to validate that their profile information is accurate and up-to-date.
6. Will businesses have to identify all of their sites where dangerous goods are handled, offered for transport, transported and imported?
Yes. Transport Canada will require that businesses identify all of their sites where dangerous goods are handled, offered for transport, transported, or imported. This information will provide Transport Canada with a more accurate picture of our stakeholders, and will be used to facilitate risk-based oversight of dangerous goods sites.
7. What will serve as proof of registration?
All registrants to TDG CID will be assigned a unique registration number. This number will remain with a business for its lifetime, until it ceases operations or shuts down. Registration numbers will not be transferable as part of a business transaction, and cannot be sold to others.
8. Transport Canada already has information about my organization and its dangerous goods activities, for example through my business’ approved Emergency Response Assistance Plan or my business’ registration to use the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre’s (CANUTEC) 24-hour number on my shipping documents. Do I still have to comply with this new TDG CID requirement?
Yes. You will still be required to register with Transport Canada. Any person (individual or organization) that handles, offers for transport, transports, or imports dangerous goods in Canada will be required to register with Transport Canada and provide the required pieces of information.
TDG CID will collect information that is not already collected by Transport Canada via other programs, such as CANUTEC. This information will enable Transport Canada to conduct rigorous risk-based assessment of dangerous goods sites in Canada and address recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.
