Regulations Amending the Explosives Regulations, 2013: SOR/2026-206

Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 160, Number 21

Registration
SOR/2026-206 October 9, 2026

EXPLOSIVES ACT

P.C. 2026-960 October 9, 2026

Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Natural Resources, makes the annexed Regulations Amending the Explosives Regulations, 2013 under section 5footnote a of the Explosives Act footnote b.

Regulations Amending the Explosives Regulations, 2013

Amendments

1 Paragraph 4(10)(f) of the Explosives Regulations, 2013 footnote 1 is replaced by the following:

2 (1) The definition vulnerable place in subsection 6(3) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

vulnerable place
refers to
  • (a) any building or place in which people live, work or assemble;
  • (b) public roads and pathways, railways and other transportation infrastructure;
  • (c) communication infrastructure and energy infrastructure, including pipelines and energy transmission lines; and
  • (d) any place where a substance that increases the likelihood of a fire or explosion is likely to be stored. (lieu vulnĂ©rable)

(2) Subsection 6(3) of the Regulations is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

law enforcement agency
means a police force established for a province, municipality or region, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Correctional Service of Canada or the Canada Border Services Agency. (organisme d’application de la loi)

3 Paragraphs 25(a) to (j) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

4 Paragraph 36(2)(g) of the Regulations is amended by striking out “or” at the end of subparagraph (iii) and by adding the following after that subparagraph:

5 Section 48 of the Regulations is renumbered as subsection 48(1) and is amended by adding the following:

Fees for export permits

(2) An applicant for an export permit must pay the applicable fees set out in Part 19.

6 Section 50 of the Regulations is renumbered as subsection 50(1) and is amended by adding the following:

Fees for in transit permits

(2) An applicant for an in transit permit must pay the applicable fees set out in Part 19.

7 Subsection 52(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Overview

52 (1) This Part sets out the rules for manufacturing explosives. However, it does not apply to the manufacture of small arms cartridges or black powder cartouches for personal use.

8 The definition client site in section 55 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

client site
means
  • (a) a blast site where a mobile process unit is used to manufacture explosives away from a factory or satellite site; or
  • (b) a point-of-use site where jet perforating guns are manufactured. (site client)

9 (1) The portion of paragraph 60(2)(a) of the Regulations before subparagraph (ii) is replaced by the following:

(2) The portion of subsection 60(4) of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

Client site

(4) If the manufacture of explosives, other than jet perforating guns, is to be carried out at a client site, the application must include the following information:

(3) Paragraph 60(4)(b) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(4) Subsection 60(6) of the Regulations is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (e) and by replacing paragraph (f) with the following:

(5) Subparagraph 60(8)(b)(iv) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(6) Subsection 60(8) of the Regulations is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (d), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (e) and by adding the following after paragraph (e):

(7) Subsection 60(9) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Fire safety plan

(8.1) The application must include a fire safety plan that sets out

Identifier

(9) Every process unit, factory magazine, raw material storage facility, building, structure and vulnerable place that is shown on the site plan must be identified by a number, letter or distinctive name, which must be used to identify them in every drawing, sketch or description included in the application.

10 Section 62 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Responsibilities of licence holder

62 A holder of a division 1 factory licence must ensure that the requirements set out in sections 63 to 68.1 are met at the factory and, if they also hold a satellite site certificate, at each satellite site.

11 Subsection 63(9) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Protection against lightning strikes

(9) Every process unit or building in which a process unit is located must be protected from lightning strikes if

Monitoring

(10) Every magazine for type E and type I explosives must be monitored using the physical or electronic means that the Minister determines to be acceptable, based on any security risks at the site, including the potential for theft and harm, unless otherwise specified in the licence or the certificate.

12 Subsection 64(5) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Motorized transport units

(5) A motorized transport unit that contains explosives must be equipped with fire extinguishing equipment suitable for the fire hazards to which the unit is exposed.

13 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 65:

Stacking

65.1 Packages and containers of explosives must be stacked so that they will not fall over, collapse or be deformed, torn or crushed. They must not be stacked higher than the stacking line for the magazine.

14 The portion of subsection 67(1) of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

Thunderstorms

67 (1) On the approach of and during a thunderstorm, the following procedures must be followed if there is a possibility of an ignition or a fire from lightning strikes:

15 Subsections 68(7) and (8) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

Maintenance records and work permits

(7) A maintenance record of all maintenance and repair work done in or to every process unit, factory magazine and transport unit, and to any manufacturing equipment whose malfunction could increase the likelihood of an ignition, must be kept for two years after the date on which the last entry is made. The work permits for this maintenance and repair work must also be kept for two years after the date on which the work is completed.

Progressive cavity pump records

(8) For each progressive cavity pump, a record that sets out the operating history of the pump and a separate maintenance record that sets out the maintenance and repair work done to it must be kept at the factory for the life of the pump.

16 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 68:

Factory magazine attended

68.1 A factory magazine must be attended in person when it is unlocked.

17 Section 70 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Signs — placement

70 (1) Signs that warn against unauthorized entry must be posted

Content

(2) Each sign must include

18 Section 72 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Signs — raw material storage facilities

72 A sign that sets out the following information must be posted in a clearly visible location at the main entrance of each raw material storage facility:

19 Subsection 74(1) of the Regulations is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (c), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (d) and by adding the following after paragraph (d):

20 Subsection 79(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

No smoking

79 (1) Smoking must be prohibited at the factory and any satellite site unless precautions are taken to minimize the likelihood of a fire or an ignition.

21 Subsection 82(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Training program

82 (1) Every employee must be trained to carry out their duties at the factory or a satellite site in a safe and lawful manner. The training must be given by a competent person or a person who otherwise has the knowledge, training and experience to give the training referred to in subsection (2).

22 Subsection 94(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Loading and unloading

(2) Explosives and raw material must not be loaded into or unloaded from a mobile process unit except at the factory or a satellite site or at a client site specified in the division 1 factory licence or satellite site certificate. However, in the case of a mechanical breakdown or accident, unloading may be carried out at the location of the breakdown or accident if the Minister is notified of the breakdown or accident and determines that precautions that minimize the likelihood of ignition have been taken.

23 Subsection 95(1) of the Regulations is repealed.

24 Subsection 98(10) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Progressive cavity pump records

(10) For each progressive cavity pump, a record that sets out the operating history of the pump and a separate maintenance record that sets out the maintenance and repair work done to it must be kept at the factory for the life of the pump.

25 (1) Subsection 99(3) of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Precautions

(3) Before manufacturing operations begin, every person at the client site must be informed of the precautions that must be taken while dewatering, driving over loaded boreholes, handling charging hose and carrying out charging operations.

(2) Section 99 of the Regulations is amended by adding the following after subsection (3):

Acceptable distance requirement

(3.1) Every mobile process unit manufacturing explosives at a client site must be located at an acceptable distance from surrounding structures and infrastructure and places where people are likely to be present.

Criteria — acceptable distance

(3.2) Acceptable distance is determined by the Minister on the basis of risk of harm to people or property, taking into account the quantity and type of explosives that are to be manufactured, the raw material to be used, the manufacturing operations to be carried out, the strength, proximity and use of surrounding structures and infrastructure and the number of people likely to be in the vicinity of the mobile process unit, magazine or facility.

26 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 100:

Emergency Response Plans

Responsibilities of licence holder

100.1 A holder of a division 1 factory licence must ensure that the requirements set out in sections 100.2 to 100.4 are met at the factory and, if they also hold a satellite site certificate, at each satellite site.

Update of plan

100.2 The emergency response plans referred to in 60(8)(b)(iv) must be updated to reflect any change in circumstances that could adversely affect the safety of the factory or satellite site.

Local fire department

100.3 (1) The local fire department must be notified

Copy of plan

(2) A copy of the most recent version of the fire safety plan must be

Employees

100.4 Every employee must be made aware of the content of the most recent version of the emergency response plan.

Jet Perforating Guns

Manufacture requirements

100.5 A holder of a division 1 factory licence may manufacture jet perforating guns at a client site if

27 Subsection 103(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

No smoking

(2) Workers and visitors must not smoke at a factory or satellite site unless precautions are taken to minimize the likelihood of a fire or an ignition.

28 (1) Paragraphs 107(1)(a) and (b) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

(2) Paragraphs 107(1)(i) to (l) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

29 Subsection 108(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Storage

(2) A holder of a division 2 factory licence or manufacturing certificate must ensure that every workplace and magazine is

Criteria — acceptable distance

(2.1) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), acceptable distance is determined by the Minister on the basis of risk of harm to people or property, taking into account the quantity and type of explosives that are to be manufactured, the raw material to be used, the manufacturing operations to be carried out, the strength, proximity and use of surrounding structures and infrastructure and the number of people likely to be in the vicinity of the unit, magazine or facility.

30 (1) Subsection 109(1) of the Regulations is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (e), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (f) and by adding the following after paragraph (f):

(2) The portion of subsection 109(2) of the French version of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

Plan du site

(2) La demande contient un plan du site qui indique :

(3) Paragraph 109(2)(b) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(4) Paragraphs 109(2)(c) and (d) of the English version of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

31 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 128:

Emergency Response Plans

Responsibilities of licence holder

128.1 A holder of a division 2 factory licence must ensure that the requirements set out in sections 128.2 to 128.4 are met.

Update of plan

128.2 The emergency response plan referred to in paragraph 109(1)(g) must be updated to reflect any change in circumstances that could adversely affect the safety of the factory.

Local fire department

128.3 (1) The local fire department must be notified

Copy of plan

(2) A copy of the most recent version of the fire safety plan must be

Employees

128.4 Every employee at a factory must be made aware of the content of the most recent version of the emergency response plan.

Magazines

Responsibilities of licence holder

128.5 A holder of a division 2 factory licence or a manufacturing certificate must ensure that the requirements set out in sections 128.6 to 128.9 are met.

Exterior signs

128.6 On the outside of each process unit and magazine, a sign that sets out either the number, letter or distinctive name specified in the division 2 factory licence or manufacturing certificate for that unit or magazine or the activities for which the unit or magazine is used, must be posted at each entrance in a clearly visible location.

Unlocked magazine

128.7 A magazine must be attended in person when it is unlocked.

Stacking

128.8 Packages and containers of explosives must be stacked so that they will not fall over, collapse or be deformed, torn or crushed. They must not be stacked higher than the stacking line for the magazine.

Monitoring

128.9 Every magazine for type E and type I explosives must be monitored using physical or electronic means that the Minister determines to be acceptable based on security risks at the site specified in the licence or certificate, unless otherwise specified in that licence or certificate.

32 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 136:

Avalanche prevention

136.1 A person who complies with the following requirements may assemble and prepare explosives used in remote avalanche control systems at or near the site where the systems are located:

33 Paragraph 138(2)(e) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

34 Paragraph 138.1(2)(d) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

35 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 142:

Loading and unloading

142.1 Emulsion and water gel explosives, including ammonium nitrate emulsions UN 3375, must not be loaded into or unloaded from a highway tank, portable tank or intermediate bulk container except at the factory or a satellite site or at a client site specified in the division 1 factory licence or the satellite site certificate. However, in the case of a mechanical breakdown or an accident, unloading may be carried out at the location of the breakdown or accident if the Minister is notified of the breakdown or accident and determines that precautions that minimize the likelihood of ignition have been taken.

36 Section 144 of the Regulations is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

main licence
means the licence for the magazine in which the holder of a shared magazine licence stores their explosives. (licence principale)
shared magazine licence
means a licence to store explosives in another person’s or entity’s licensed magazine. (licence pour poudrière partagée)

37 Section 145 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Application for licence

145 (1) An applicant for a magazine licence must complete, sign and send to the Chief Inspector of Explosives the application form provided by the Department of Natural Resources. The application must state the type of licence that the applicant is requesting.

Content

(2) An application for a magazine licence, other than an application for a shared magazine licence or by a drop-ship seller, must include

Content — shared magazine licence

(3) An application for a shared magazine licence must include

Content — drop-ship seller

(4) An application by a drop-ship seller must include

Identifier

(5) Every magazine and vulnerable place that is shown on a site plan must be identified by a number, letter or distinctive name, which must be used to identify the magazine or vulnerable place on the site plan and in the site description.

Scale drawing

(6) Every drawing or plan must be drawn to scale or be a reasonable approximation of actual distances and dimensions and must include a legend.

Fees

(7) An applicant for a magazine licence must pay the applicable fees set out in Part 19.

38 Section 146 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Responsibilities of licence holder

146 (1) A holder of a user magazine licence, vendor magazine licence or user magazine zone licence must ensure that

Shared magazine licence

(2) A holder of a shared magazine licence must ensure that the requirements of sections 149 to 152, 156, 160, 162 and 163 are met with respect to the explosives that they are storing in a magazine of the main licence holder described in the shared magazine licence.

39 Subsections 147(2) and (3) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

Criteria — acceptable distance

(2) Acceptable distance is determined by the Minister on the basis of risk of harm to people or property, taking into account the quantity and type of explosives to be stored in the magazine, the strength, proximity and use of surrounding structures and infrastructure and the number of people likely to be in the vicinity of the magazine at any one time.

40 Section 148 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Structural requirements

148 Every magazine must be constructed and maintained so that it conforms to good engineering practices and so that it is well-ventilated and resistant to theft, weather and fire.

41 Paragraph 152(a) of the Regulations is repealed.

42 Section 154 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Monitoring

153.1 Every magazine for type E and type I explosives must be attended using physical or electronic means that the Minister determines to be acceptable based on security risks at the site specified in the magazine licence, unless otherwise specified in that licence.

Fire safety plan

154 (1) The local fire department must be notified

Copy of plan

(2) A copy of the most recent version of the fire safety plan must be

Employees

(3) Every employee at a magazine site must be made aware of the content of the most recent version of the fire safety plan.

Update of plan

(4) The fire safety plan must be updated to reflect any change in circumstances that could adversely affect the safety of the magazine site.

43 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 159:

Exterior signs

159.1 The identifier that is used to identify a magazine under subsection 145(5) must be posted on the exterior of the magazine.

Signs — placement

159.2 (1) Signs that warn against unauthorized entry must be posted at magazine sites for type D, E or I explosives

Content

(2) Each sign must include

44 The heading before section 162 and sections 162 and 163 of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

Requirements for Shared Magazine Licence Holders

Agreement

162 A holder of a shared magazine licence must maintain a written agreement with the main licence holder for the storage of explosives in the magazine described in the shared magazine licence. The agreement must be signed by both parties.

Access to magazines

163 A holder of a shared magazine licence may not have access to a magazine described in the licence unless accompanied by an authorized representative of the main licence holder for that magazine.

Requirements for Main Licence Holders

Agreement

163.1 The main licence holder must maintain a written agreement with the shared magazine licence holder that allows the shared magazine licence holder to store explosives in the magazine described in the shared magazine licence. The agreement must be signed by both parties.

Access to magazines

163.2 The main licence holder must ensure that their authorized representative accompanies a shared magazine licence holder when they access the magazine described in the licence.

Requirements for Drop-ship Sellers

Acquisition and sale

163.3 A drop-ship seller may acquire and sell the explosives described in their licence.

45 Section 165 of the Regulations is amended by adding the following after subsection (2):

Exception

(3) Despite subsection (1), a holder of a licence or certificate for a mobile process unit may move the mobile process unit to a site not specified in the licence or certificate if

Record

(4) The holder of a licence or certificate for a mobile process unit must keep a record of any move carried out under subsection (3) for two years after the date of the move.

46 (1) Subsection 169(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Decommissioning plan

169 (1) Before decommissioning a factory or satellite site, a holder of a division 1 factory licence must send a written decommissioning plan to the Minister.

(2) Subsection 169(2) of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Decommissioning plan — magazine

(2) Before decommissioning a workplace or magazine, a holder of a division 2 factory licence, a magazine licence or a manufacturing certificate must send a written decommissioning plan to the Minister if the workplace or magazine contains any explosive residue.

(3) Subsection 169(5) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Responsibility of holder

(5) The holder must implement the decommissioning plan and ensure that the factory, satellite site, workplace or magazine is decommissioned in a safe manner and that any possibility of harm to people or property is eliminated after the decommissioning. They must inform the Minister when the decommissioning is complete.

47 Subsection 173(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Suspension

173 (1) The Chief Inspector of Explosives may suspend a licence, permit or certificate, in whole or in part, if the holder fails to comply with the Explosives Act, these Regulations or any term or condition of the document. The suspension is to continue until the Chief Inspector determines that the holder has taken measures that bring the holder into compliance.

48 Section 174 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Overview

174 This Part sets out the screening requirements for people who have access to high hazard explosives. Division 1 sets out the requirements that must be met by applicants for licences, permits or certificates if they intend to manufacture, store, transport, import or export high hazard explosives or transport them in transit. Division 2 sets out the duties of licence, permit and certificate holders to control access to high hazard explosives. It also sets out the requirements for obtaining letters of approval.

49 (1) The definition permit in subsection 175(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

permit
means a permit that authorizes the transportation, importation, exportation or in transit transportation of a high hazard explosive. (permis)

(2) The definition equivalent document in subsection 175(1) of the Regulations is amended by striking out “or” at the end of paragraph (e) and by adding the following after paragraph (f):

(3) Subsection 175(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Access

(2) A person is considered to have access to a high hazard explosive if they have possession or control of the explosive, even momentarily, or can exercise control of the explosive.

50 Subsection 176(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

List of employees

(2) Every applicant for a licence, permit or certificate, or for the renewal of one, must include with the application a list of their employees who are required by this Part to have an approval letter or equivalent document. This list must indicate, for each employee, the type of approval letter or equivalent document, the letter or document number and its expiry date.

51 (1) Subsection 178(1) of the Regulations is amended by adding “or” at the end of paragraph (a) and by replacing paragraphs (b) and (c) with the following:

(2) Subsection 178(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Supervision of others

(2) A holder of a licence, permit or certificate must ensure that a person who does not have an approval letter or an equivalent document does not occupy a position in which they directly supervise a person who, in carrying out their functions for the holder, has access to a high hazard explosive.

52 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 178:

Update of employee list

178.1 A holder of a licence, permit or certificate must keep the list referred to in subsection 176(2) up to date.

53 Section 186 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Overview

186 This Part sets out the requirements for transporting explosives, including in transit transportation and the loading and unloading of explosives, that must be met by shippers, carriers and drivers. When certain explosives are to be shipped, the requirements of section 190 apply. In all other cases, the requirements of sections 190.1 to 201 (dealing with transportation by vehicle) and sections 202 to 203.1 (dealing with transportation by other means) apply.

54 (1) The definition shipper in section 187 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

shipper
means a person who arranges for a carrier, prepares the explosives for transport and transfers them to the carrier. (expéditeur)

(2) Section 187 of the Regulations is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

transport permit
means a permit that is issued under paragraph 7(1)(b) of the Explosives Act and that authorizes a carrier to use a road vehicle to transport explosives. (permis de transport)

55 The portion of subsection 190(1) of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

List of explosives

190 (1) A carrier or driver is not subject to the requirements of sections 190.1 to 203.1 if they transport

56 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 190:

Transport permit

190.1 (1) A carrier must hold a transport permit before transporting high hazard explosives, as defined in section 175, on a public road.

Application — transport permit

(2) To obtain a transport permit, an applicant must complete, sign and send to the Chief Inspector of Explosives the application form provided by the Department of Natural Resources. The application must include

Period of validity

(3) A transport permit remains valid for three years after the date on which it is issued.

Update of list

(4) The carrier must keep the information referred to in paragraph (2)(b) up to date and annually send it to the Chief Inspector of Explosives.

Non-application

(5) Subsections (1) to (4) do not apply to

Fees

(6) The applicant for a transport permit must pay the applicable fees set out in Part 19.

Transfers

190.2 A shipper or seller must not transfer explosives to a carrier unless

Hiring

190.3 (1) A shipper must, before hiring a carrier to transport high hazard explosives as defined in section 175, verify that the carrier holds a valid transport permit or the carrier is referred to in subsection 190.1(5).

Record — high hazard explosives

(2) A shipper must keep a record of each carrier that it hires to transport high hazard explosives, as defined in section 175, for two years from the date of the shipment. The record must include

Record — other explosives

(3) For each shipment of explosives other than high hazard explosives as defined in section 175, a shipper must keep, for two years, a record of how the driver was informed of the requirements and precautions referred to in paragraph 190.2(b).

57 (1) Paragraph 191(3.1)(b) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Section 191 of the Regulations is amended by adding the following after subsection (5.1):

Non-application

(5.2) Subsections (1), (2) and (4) do not apply to explosives transported underground within a mine site if they are

(3) Subsection 191(8) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Fire-extinguishing equipment

(8) The carrier must ensure that the vehicle that contains explosives is equipped with fire-extinguishing equipment that is suitable for the fire hazards to which the vehicle is exposed.

58 (1) Subsections 192(2) to (4) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

Damaged or deteriorated explosives

(2) The shipper and the carrier must not transport damaged or deteriorated explosives unless the transport can be done safely and

Items transported with explosives

(3) The shipper and the carrier must ensure that items other than explosives are not transported with explosives unless the items are stowed, or separated from the explosives, so as to minimize the likelihood of an ignition.

59 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 192:

Driver competencies

192.1 (1) A holder of a transport permit must ensure that every driver who transports explosives is certified as trained.

Certification

(2) A holder of a transport permit must certify as trained any driver

Form and contents

(3) Evidence of a driver’s certification may be either a training record or a document signed by the person who provided the training or by the holder of the transport permit. It must be given to the driver and include the driver’s name, the operating procedures the driver is competent to carry out and the date on which the certification will expire.

Expiry

(4) A driver’s training certification must expire not more than five years after the date of the certification. If a change occurs in the operating procedures for which the driver was certified, the driver must be trained in the new operating procedures, but the expiry date of the certification must remain the same.

Records

(5) The carrier must keep a record of the basis upon which each driver who transports explosives is certified. The record must be kept for at least two years after the day on which the driver’s certification expires.

Training program

192.2 (1) The training must cover the information necessary to allow the driver to ensure the safety and security of the driver, the general public and the explosives being transported, including a review of

Trainer

(2) The training must be given by a person who has the training, knowledge and experience to deliver it.

60 Paragraph 193(1)(b) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

61 Subsection 194(7) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Securing explosives

(7) The carrier must ensure that the explosives are stowed and secured in a manner that minimizes the possibility of an ignition, including ignition by another item or substance that is also being transported in the vehicle.

62 (1) The portion of subsection 196(5) of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

No stopping en route

(5) The driver of a vehicle transporting explosives must not stop en route unnecessarily. If a stop is necessary, the driver must stop for no longer than required under the circumstances and must park the vehicle away from any place where there is an open flame or any other thing that could increase the likelihood of an ignition, and, in order to ensure that the risk of harm to people and property is as low as reasonably practicable, the driver must park the vehicle away from

(2) Subsection 196(8) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Maintaining separation

(8) A driver of a vehicle transporting more than 2 000 kg of explosives must, in order to ensure that the risk of harm to people and property is as low as reasonably practicable, maintain an acceptable distance between their vehicle and any other vehicle that is transporting more than 2 000 kg of explosives.

63 Paragraph 198(2)(b) of the Regulations is amended by adding by the following after subparagraph (xiii):

64 (1) Subsection 199(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Vehicle attended

199 (1) The carrier and the driver of a vehicle that contains explosives must ensure that it is attended in person unless

(2) Paragraphs 199(4)(b) and (c) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

65 Subsection 202(4) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Securing explosives

(4) The carrier must ensure that the explosives are stowed and secured in a manner that minimizes the possibility of an ignition, including ignition by another item or substance that is also being transported.

66 The definition law enforcement agency in section 205 of the Regulations is repealed.

67 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 207:

Reuse of packaging

207.1 A seller must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type D explosives is not reused unless

68 (1) Subsection 211(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Acquisition — exception

211 (1) Despite subsection 210(1), a law enforcement agency may acquire and store military explosives, hazard category PE 3, PE 4 and PE N/A, or law enforcement explosives, hazard category PE 3, PE 4 and PE N/A, even if the agency is unlicensed. A law enforcement agency that acquires such explosives must comply with subsection (2).

(2) Section 211 of the Regulations is amended by adding the following after subsection (2):

Meaning of PE N/A

(3) For the purposes of this section, PE N/A means an explosive for which a hazard category referred to in subsection 36(3) does not apply.

69 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 211:

Reuse of packaging

211.1 A user must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type D explosives is not reused unless

70 The definition industrial explosive in section 213 of the Regulations is amended by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (c), by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (d) and by repealing paragraph (e).

71 Section 221 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Acquisition

221 (1) A user may acquire and store industrial explosives if they hold a licence or a manufacturing certificate or are authorized by a competent provincial or territorial authority to use, keep or store such explosives at a mine site or quarry.

Exception

(2) Despite subsection (1), a user may store industrial explosives in a remote avalanche control system without a magazine licence if the system is not easily accessible by the public.

72 (1) Subsection 223(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Storage

223 (1) A user who holds a licence or a manufacturing certificate must store their industrial explosives in the magazine specified in their licence or certificate.

(2) Subsection 223(3) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Exceptions

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to industrial explosives that are

73 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 233:

Packaging

Reuse of packaging

233.1 A seller must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type C.2 explosives is not reused unless

74 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 237:

Reuse of packaging

237.1 A user must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type C.2 explosives is not reused unless

75 Subsection 243(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Licensed seller

243 (1) A seller who holds a licence must store their low-hazard special purpose explosives in the magazine specified in their licence and ensure that the requirements of section 244 are met.

76 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 244:

Consumer packs

244.1 If a low-hazard special purpose explosive is packaged in a consumer pack, the consumer pack must be

77 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 250:

Packaging

Reuse of packaging

250.1 A seller must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type S.1 explosives is not reused unless

78 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 254:

Reuse of packaging

254.1 A user must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type S.1 explosives is not reused unless

79 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 259:

Selling — reactive targets

259.1 A seller may sell reactive targets to a user who holds a licence issued under the Firearms Act.

80 Paragraph 261(f) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

81 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 261:

Packaging

Reuse of packaging

261.1 A seller must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type S.2 explosives is not reused unless

82 Section 262.2 of the Regulations is repealed.

83 Subsection 264(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Reactive targets

(2) No more than 6.5 kg of reactive targets may be stored at any one time.

84 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 265:

Reuse of packaging

265.1 A user must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type S.2 explosives is not reused unless

85 Subsection 272(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Licensed seller

272 (1) A seller who holds a licence must store their small arms cartridges in the magazine specified in their licence and ensure that the requirements of sections 273 and 274 are met.

86 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 277:

Packaging

Reuse of packaging

277.1 A seller must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type C.1 explosives is not reused unless

87 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 281:

Reuse of packaging

281.1 A user must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type C.1 explosives is not reused unless

88 Subsection 284(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Licensed seller

284 (1) A seller who holds a licence must store their propellant powder and percussion caps in the magazine specified in their licence and ensure that the requirements of sections 286 to 286.5 are met.

89 Section 285 of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Unlicensed retailer

285 A retailer who does not hold a licence must store their propellant powder and percussion caps in a sales establishment and ensure that the requirements of sections 286 to 288 are met.

90 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 286.1:

Storage limits — interior magazines

286.2 No more than the following quantities of type P explosives may be stored at any one time in an interior magazine:

Storage limits — buildings

286.3 No more than 25 kg of type P.1 explosives may be stored at any one time in a building.

Storage limits — sales establishment

286.4 (1) No more than 750 kg of type P.2 explosives may be stored at any one time in a sales establishment, of which no more than 375 kg may be stored in magazines located in the retail area.

Propellant powder

(2) Any propellant powder that is not in the retail area must be stored in magazines that are inaccessible to retail customers.

Distance

(3) A minimum distance of 10 m must be maintained between each magazine in which propellant powder is stored in the sales establishment.

Storage limits — distribution establishment

286.5 (1) No more than 2 200 kg of type P.2 explosives may be stored at any one time in a distribution establishment, as defined in section 144, or a warehouse, that is not accessible to the public, of which no more than 125 kg may be stored in each magazine located in the distribution establishment or warehouse.

Distance

(2) A minimum distance of 10 m must be maintained between each magazine in which propellant powder is stored in the distribution centre or warehouse.

91 Section 290 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Registration number

290 (1) A retailer who does not hold a licence may acquire, store and sell propellant powder if they have a registration number.

Application — registration number

(2) To apply for a registration number, an applicant must send the following information to the Chief Inspector of Explosives in the form provided by the Department of Natural Resources:

Validity

(3) The registration number is valid for as long as the retailer stores and sells propellant powder.

Cancellation

(4) If the retailer stops selling propellant powder, the retailer must, as soon as circumstances permit, notify the Chief Inspector of Explosives to cancel the registration.

92 Section 294 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Identification

294 Before selling propellant powder, a retailer must require the buyer to provide

Identification — retailer

294.1 Before selling propellant powder to a retailer, a distributor must require the retailer to provide their valid

93 (1) Paragraph 295(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Paragraphs 295(b.1) and (b.2) of the Regulations are repealed.

94 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 295:

Records

295.1 A distributor must keep a record of each sale of propellant powder to a retailer for at least two years after the date of sale. The record must include

Packaging

Reuse of packaging

295.2 A seller must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type C.3, P.1 or P.2 explosives is not reused unless

95 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 305:

Packaging

Reuse of packaging

305.1 A user must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type C.3, P.1 or P.2 explosives is not reused unless

96 Section 306 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Overview

306 This Part authorizes the acquisition, storage and sale of rocket motors, reloading kits and igniters. Division 1 sets out the rules for sellers and users of model rocket motors (type R.1), model rocket motor reloading kits (type R.1) and igniters for model rocket motors (type R.3). Division 2 sets out the rules for sellers and users of high-power rocket motors (type R.2), high-power rocket motor reloading kits (type R.2) and igniters for high-power rocket motors (type R.3). Division 3 sets out the rules for sellers and users of advanced high-power rocket motors (type R.4), advanced high-power rocket motor reloading kits (type R.4) and ignitors for advanced high-power rocket motors (type R.3).

97 Subsection 307(1) of the Regulations is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

advanced high-power rocket motor
means a recreational rocket motor with an impulse that is produced by combustion of a solid propellent and exceeds 40 960 newton-seconds but does not exceed 889 600 newton-seconds. (moteur de fusĂ©e haute puissance avancĂ©e)

98 Subsection 311(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Licensed seller

311 (1) A seller who holds a licence must store their rocket motors, reloading kits and igniters in the magazine specified in their licence and ensure that the requirements of sections 312 and 313 are met.

99 (1) Paragraph 315(2)(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Paragraph 315(2)(i) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

100 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 317:

Packaging

Reuse of packaging

317.1 A seller must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type R.1 or R.3 explosives is not reused unless

101 (1) Paragraph 321(2)(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Paragraph 321(2)(i) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

102 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 321:

Reuse of packaging

321.1 A user must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type R.1 or R.3 explosives is not reused unless

103 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 328:

Packaging

Reuse of packaging

328.1 A seller must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type R.2 or R.3 explosives is not reused unless

104 Subsection 330(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Storage — unlicensed user

(2) A user who does not hold a licence must store their rocket motors, reloading kits and igniters in a dwelling or a storage unit and ensure that the requirements of sections 331 to 333.1 are met.

105 (1) Paragraph 332(2)(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Paragraph 332(2)(i) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

106 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 333:

Reuse of packaging

333.01 A user must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type R.2 or R.3 explosives is not reused unless

DIVISION 3

Advanced High-power Rocket Motors

Motor rockets, kits and igniters

333.02 In this Division, unless otherwise indicated, a reference to a rocket motor, a reloading kit or an igniter is a reference to an advanced high-power rocket motor, a reloading kit for an advanced high-power rocket motor or an igniter for an advanced high-power rocket motor.

Rules for Sellers
Acquisition for Sale and Storage

Seller

333.03 A seller may acquire, store and sell rocket motors, reloading kits and igniters if they hold a licence. A seller who acquires rocket motors, reloading kits or igniters must comply with this Division.

Storage

333.04 A seller must store their rocket motors, reloading kits and igniters in the magazine specified in their licence.

Display prohibited

333.05 A seller must not display rocket motors or reloading kits for sale.

Sale

Maximum quantity — licensed buyer

333.06 (1) A seller must not sell more rocket motors, reloading kits or igniters to a licensed buyer than the buyer is authorized by their licence to store.

Maximum quantity — unlicensed buyer

(2) A seller must not sell more rocket motors, reloading kits or igniters to an unlicensed buyer than the buyer is authorized by this Division to store.

Retailer

333.07 A retailer may sell rocket motors, reloading kits or igniters to a user.

Records

333.08 A seller must keep a record of each sale of a rocket motor, reloading kit or igniter for at least two years after the date of sale. The record must include

Reuse of packaging

333.09 A seller must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type R.3 or R.4 explosives is not reused unless

Storage

Attendance

333.1 A seller must ensure that rocket motors, reloading kits and igniters are attended when they are not in storage.

Rules for Users

Acquisition

333.11 A user may acquire and store rocket motors, reloading kits and igniters. A user who acquires rocket motors, reloading kits or igniters must comply with this Division.

Storage — licensed user

333.12 (1) A user who holds a licence must store their rocket motors, reloading kits and igniters in the magazine specified in their licence.

Storage — unlicensed user

(2) A user who does not hold a licence must store their rocket motors, reloading kits and igniters in a storage unit and ensure that the requirements of sections 333.13 to 333.16 are met.

Maximum quantity

333.13 A user who does not hold a licence must not store more than 20 kg of rocket motors and reloading kits at any one time.

Rocket with installed motor

333.14 A user, whether or not they hold a licence, must not store a rocket in which a motor has been installed.

Storage requirements — storage unit

333.15 A user who does not hold a licence must ensure that, when rocket motors, reloading kits or igniters are stored in a storage unit,

Attendance

333.16 A user, whether or not they hold a licence, must ensure that rocket motors, reloading kits and igniters are attended when they are not in storage.

Reuse of packaging

333.17 A user must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type R.2 or R.3 explosives is not reused unless

107 Paragraph 345.2(d) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

108 Section 347 of the Regulations is repealed.

109 Paragraph 359.1(d) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

110 (1) Subsection 368(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Certificate or licence required

368 (1) A seller may sell special effect pyrotechnics, other than reactive targets, to a buyer who

(2) Subsection 368(4) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Licence required

(4) A seller may sell special effect pyrotechnics that are reactive targets to a user who holds a Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence issued under the Firearms Act.

111 Section 371 of the Regulations is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (f), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (g) and by adding the following after paragraph (g):

112 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 371:

Packaging

Reuse of packaging

371.1 A seller must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type F.3 or F.4 explosives is not reused unless

113 Subsections 387(2) and (3) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

Senior pyrotechnician

(2) To obtain a fireworks operator certificate (senior pyrotechnician), a person must have acted as a pyrotechnician for a year and must be able to safely use explosives that are classified as type F.3 and propellant powder.

Special effects pyrotechnician

(3) To obtain a fireworks operator certificate (special effects pyrotechnician), a person must have acted as a senior pyrotechnician for one year and must be able to safely use explosives that are classified as type F.3, propellant powder and special purpose pyrotechnics.

114 Paragraphs 388(5)(e) and (f) of the Regulations are repealed.

115 Section 389 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Acquisition

389 (1) A user may acquire and store special effect pyrotechnics, whether or not they hold a licence, if they hold a fireworks operator certificate with the endorsements required for the use of the pyrotechnics to be acquired. However,

Compliance

(2) A user who acquires special effect pyrotechnics must comply with this Subdivision.

116 Subsection 390(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Exception

(2) Despite subsection (1), a user who holds a licence may store up to 500 electric matches and up to 25 kg of other special effect pyrotechnics in a dwelling or a storage unit. A user who does so must ensure that the requirements of sections 392 to 397 are met.

117 Subsection 393(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Black powder

(2) Black powder must be stored in its original container, with no more than 500 g of black powder per container, in small arms cartridges or in black powder cartouches.

118 Section 394 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Detached dwelling

394 The maximum quantity of propellant powder that may be stored at any one time in a detached dwelling, in a storage unit attached to a detached dwelling or in a storage unit at the site of use is 25 kg of which no more than 10 kg may be black powder.

119 Paragraph 395(2)(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

120 Section 396 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Detached storage unit

396 No more than 25 kg of black powder and no more than 75 kg of smokeless powder may be stored by a user at any one time in storage units, whether in a single unit or in several, that are not attached to a dwelling.

121 The portion of section 399 of the Regulations before paragraph (b) is replaced by the following:

Pyrotechnician

399 A user who holds a fireworks operator certificate (pyrotechnician) may use the following explosives:

122 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 401:

Visitor pyrotechnician

401.1 A user who is a visitor pyrotechnician may use

123 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 409:

Packaging

Reuse of packaging

409.1 A user must ensure that any packaging or container that has been used for type F.3 or F.4 explosives is not reused unless

124 Paragraph 419.1(d) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

125 (1) Paragraph 421(a) of the Regulations is repealed.

(2) Section 421 of the Regulations is amended by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (b), by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (c) and by repealing paragraph (d).

126 (1) Subsection 422(1) of the Regulations is repealed.

(2) Subsection 422(4) of the Regulations is repealed.

127 (1) Subsections 423(1) and (2) of the Regulations are repealed.

(2) Paragraph 423(3)(c) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(3) Subsection 423(5) of the Regulations is repealed.

128 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 423:

Training

Display assistant

423.1 A person must, before beginning to work as a display assistant and every five years thereafter, successfully complete a display fireworks safety and legal awareness course certified by the Minister.

129 Section 428 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Display assistant and display visitor

428 A user may use fireworks if

130 Paragraph 429.1(d) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

131 Subsection 434(5) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Handling

(5) Only a person who is a display assistant or a display visitor or who holds a fireworks operator certificate (display supervisor) or a fireworks operator certificate (display supervisor with endorsement), may, if authorized by the display supervisor in charge, handle fireworks in the loading zone or fallout zone.

132 Subsection 436(7) of the French version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Exigence — système de mise Ă  feu

(7) Dans le cas d’une mise à feu électrique, l’artificier responsable veille à ce que le système de mise à feu soit sécurisé en tout temps pour empêcher tout allumage accidentel.

133 Section 439 of the Regulations is repealed.

134 Section 444 of the Regulations is renumbered as subsection 444(1) and is amended by adding the following:

Fee for firecracker use certificate

(2) An applicant for a firecracker use certificate must pay the applicable fees set out in Part 19.

135 The definitions division 1 factory licence, manufacturing certificate and user magazine zone licence in section 451 of the Regulations are repealed.

136 (1) Section 453 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Fees

453 (1) The fees to be paid for obtaining the authorizations, licences, permits and certificates set out in column 2 of the table to this section are set out in column 3. Fees payable annually unless otherwise stated.

Payment deadline

(2) The fees are payable at the time the application is submitted. However, the fees set out in items 7 to 12 and 14, respectively, column 3, of the table to this section are payable within 30 days after the date of the invoice from the Department of Natural Resources.

TABLE
Item

Column 1

Provision

Column 2

Authorization, Permit, Licence or Certificate

Column 3

Fees
1 Section 31 Initial authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (1 to 20 products) $191
2 Section 31 Initial authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (21 to 50 products) $448
3 Section 31 Initial authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (51 to 100 products) $897
4 Section 31 Initial authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (101 to 200 products) $1,457
5 Section 31 Initial authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (201 to 350 products) $2,578
6 Section 31 Initial authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (351 or more products) $3,251
7 Section 31 Annual fee for the continued authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (1 to 20 products) $169
8 Section 31 Annual fee for the continued authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (21 to 50 products) $224
9 Section 31 Annual fee for the continued authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (51 to 100 products) $448
10 Section 31 Annual fee for the continued authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (101 to 200 products) $729
11 Section 31 Annual fee for the continued authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (201 to 350 products) $1,289
12 Section 31 Annual fee for the continued authorization of an explosive for an indefinite period (351 or more products) $1,625
13 Section 31 Authorization of an explosive for a specified period for use other than at a special event, tour or international competition $280
14 Section 31 Authorization of an explosive for a specified period for use at a special event, tour or international competition $673 per event, subject to a maximum fee of $3,251 for events that are part of the same special event, tour or international competition
15 Subsection 46(2) Single-use import permit $247
16 Subsection 46(2) Annual import permit $224 plus $28 for each 1 000 kg NEQ imported, subject to a maximum fee of $1,794
17 Subsection 48(2) Single-use export permit $247
18 Subsection 48(2) Annual export permit $224 plus $28 for each 1 000 kg NEQ exported, subject to a maximum fee of $1,794
19 Subsection 50(2) Single-use transport in transit permit $28
20 Subsection 50(2) Annual transport in transit permit $224
21 Section 61 Division 1 factory licence to manufacture explosives

(1) Subject to a minimum fee of $2,242 and a maximum fee of $44,838, the total of

  • (a) $1,121 per process unit,
  • (b) $1,121 per mobile process unit, and
  • (c) $336 per magazine

(2) Fees for process units in a building will be charged for each room in which an explosives manufacturing operation is carried out at a factory; fees will not be charged for each process unit within a room

(3) Fees for a process unit and a mobile process unit will be charged for each process unit and mobile process unit with a capacity of over 100 kg operating at a mine or quarry

(4) No fees will be charged for magazines storing in-process explosives in a process unit, magazines for storage of laboratory samples or magazines for storage of contaminated equipment

(5) A jet perforating gun loading facility that also stores explosives will be charged as a process unit only
22 Section 61 Satellite site certificate (division 1 certificate to manufacture blasting explosives — types I and E) $1,681 — valid for six months
23 Subsection 109(3) Division 2 factory licence to manufacture explosives — small operation $560 for
  • (a) personal use;
  • (b) manufacturing activities under paragraph 107(1)(c) or (d);
  • (c) operations with no more than one process unit and two magazines; or
  • (d) distribution establishment that repackages explosives
24 Subsection 109(3) Division 2 factory licence to manufacture explosives — standard operation $2,018
25 Subsection 109(3) Division 2 manufacturing certificate $280
26 Subsection 145(7) User magazine licence to store high explosives or initiation systems (types D, E and I) other than explosives stored by law enforcement agencies $224 per magazine, subject to a minimum fee of $448
27 Subsection 145(7) User magazine licence to store any other explosives other than explosives stored by law enforcement agencies $112 per magazine, subject to a minimum fee of $224
28 Subsection 145(7) Vendor magazine licence to store high explosives or initiation systems (types D, E and I) $224 per magazine, subject to a minimum fee of $448
29 Subsection 145(7) Vendor magazine licence to store any other explosives — retailer $224 per retail establishment
30 Subsection 145(7) Vendor magazine licence to store any other explosives — distributor $560 per distribution establishment
31 Subsection 145(7) Shared magazine licence $224
32 Subsection 145(7) Vendor magazine licence — drop-ship seller $224
33 Subsection 145(7) User magazine zone licence to store high explosives or initiation systems $448 per magazine, subject to a minimum fee of $897
34 Subsection 388(6) Initial fireworks operator certificate $196 — valid for five years
35 Subsection 388(6) Modification to or change of fireworks operator certificate $179 — valid for five years
36 Subsection 388(6) Renewal of a fireworks operator certificate $179 — valid for five years
37 Subsection 444(2) Firecracker use certificate $56

(2) The table to section 453 of the Regulations is amended by adding the following after item 33:

TABLE
Item

Column 1

Provision

Column 2

Authorization, Permit, Licence or Certificate

Column 3

Fees
33.1 Subsection 190.1(6) Transport permit $22 per vehicle, subject to a minimum of $224 and a maximum of $841 — valid for three years

137 Section 455 of the Regulations is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

enrolment
means the registration of a product seller or component seller by the Chief Inspector of Explosives. (inscription)

138 Subsection 461(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Non-application

461 (1) This Division does not apply to the sale of Tier 1 components to laboratories that are a part of or affiliated with

139 Section 463 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Component sellers list

463 A component seller who is enrolled under subsection 467(1) may sell a Tier 1 component.

140 Paragraph 466(1)(b) of the Regulations is repealed.

141 (1) Subsection 467(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Enrolment of component seller

467 (1) When a component seller provides the information required by section 464, the Chief Inspector of Explosives must enrol the component seller by providing them with an enrolment number and the effective date of the enrolment.

(2) Subsection 467(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Duration of enrolment

(2) An enrolment is valid for five years after its effective date.

142 (1) Subsection 468(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Enrolment of product seller

468 (1) When a product seller provides the information required by section 466, the Chief Inspector of Explosives must enrol the product seller by providing them with an enrolment number and the effective date of the enrolment.

(2) Subsection 468(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Duration of enrolment

(2) An enrolment is valid for five years after its effective date.

143 Subsection 473(3) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Lighting

(3) All main entrances to a building in which a Tier 1 component is stored must be lit at all times between dusk and dawn.

144 Paragraph 479(a) of the English version of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

145 Section 483 of the Regulations is repealed.

146 (1) Paragraph 484(1)(j) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Subsection 484(3) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Access

(3) The record of sale must be kept in an area that is not accessible to the public.

147 Paragraph 485(1)(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

148 The Regulations are amended by adding the following after section 487:

Responsibility of driver

487.1 When more than 1 kg of a Tier 1 component is shipped by vehicle, the driver of the vehicle must meet the requirements set out in subparagraphs 485(1)(b)(i) to (iii).

149 Section 488 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Suspension or cancellation

488 If a component seller or product seller fails to comply with the Explosives Act or these Regulations, the Chief Inspector of Explosives may suspend or cancel their enrolment. The suspension continues until the component seller or product seller remedies the failure to comply.

150 The portion of subsection 494(1) of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

Non-application

494 (1) This Division does not apply to the sale of Tier 2 components to laboratories that are a part of or affiliated with

151 Paragraph 499(b) of the Regulations is repealed.

152 (1) Subsection 500(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Enrolment of component seller

500 (1) When a component seller provides the information required by section 497, the Chief Inspector of Explosives must enrol the component seller by providing them with an enrolment number and the effective date of the enrolment.

(2) Subsection 500(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Duration of enrolment

(2) An enrolment is valid for five years after its effective date.

153 (1) Subsection 501(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Enrolment of product seller

501 (1) When a product seller provides the information required by section 499, the Chief Inspector of Explosives must enrol the product seller by providing them with an enrolment number and the effective date of the enrolment.

(2) Subsection 501(2) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Duration of listing

(2) An enrolment is valid for five years after its effective date.

154 Section 508 of the Regulations is amended by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (a) and by replacing paragraphs (b) and (c) with the following:

155 Paragraph 510(b) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

156 Section 511 of the Regulations is repealed.

157 (1) Paragraph 512(1)(j) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Subsection 512(3) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Access

(3) The record of sale must be kept in an area that is not accessible to the public.

158 Section 514 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Suspension or cancellation

514 If a component seller or product seller fails to comply with the Explosives Act or these Regulations, the Chief Inspector of Explosives may suspend or cancel their enrolment. The suspension continues until the component seller or product seller remedies the failure to comply.

159 Section 519 of the Regulations is amended by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (a) and by replacing paragraphs (b) and (c) with the following:

Coming into Force

160 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), these Regulations come into force on the day on which they are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

(2) Sections 5, 6, 7, 41, 91, 92, 94 and 134 and subsection 136(1) come into force on April 1, 2027.

(3) Sections 54, 55, 56 and 59 and subsection 136(2) come into force on the second anniversary of the day on which these Regulations are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)

Executive summary

Issues: The Explosives Program (the Program) of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the explosives sector have undergone changes since the Explosives Regulations, 2013 (the Regulations) were last significantly updated over 10 years ago. This regulatory amendment package ensures the Regulations are updated to remain relevant and achieve safety and security objectives.

Description: The amendments to the Regulations will introduce new requirements such as a transport permit and enrollment of propellant powder sellers, to enhance safety and security, codify industry practices, update fees, and clarify the intent of regulatory requirements.

Rationale: NRCan’s Explosives Regulatory Review (the Review) engaged in extensive research and outreach to identify key irritants with the current regulations. Several key themes emerged, including enhancing safety and security by addressing gaps in the regulatory regime, and updating and clarifying requirements with the goal of modernizing the regulatory regime. The amendments will align with the Government of Canada’s commitment to reduce “red tape” by streamlining regulatory requirements, removing outdated provisions, and reducing administrative burden to facilitate stakeholder compliance.

The amendments will carry a total net present benefit of $388,631. The Review expects all businesses (including small businesses) to benefit from improved clarity and enhanced safety. The net impact of changes in compliance and administrative costs to small businesses is expected to be $244,936 in new costs per year, which represents $74 in costs per small business per year. Under the one-for-one rule, the amendments will result in annualized administrative net cost savings of $13,930.

Issues

Over 10 years ago, in 2013, the Explosives Program (the Program) of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) conducted a significant update of its regulatory regime to further formalize and refine the requirements that govern the safety and security of the Canadian explosives sector. Since then, both the Program and the explosives sector have undergone changes, necessitating another update to ensure the current Explosives Regulations, 2013 (the Regulations) remain relevant and effective in achieving safety and security goals.

The regulatory requirements for transportation and for the selling of propellant powder, for example, require further amendments to address ongoing safety and security gaps.

In other cases, efforts to better align with risk warrant the relaxation of requirements. For example, the removal of requirements for mobile process units to be cleaned at factory sites if not used for more than 30 days, as there already exist requirements to keep mobile processing units maintained and in good operating condition.

Other aspects of the Program that need updating include codifying subcategories of licences for the storage of explosives and clarifying requirements for, and divisions of, explosives manufacturing licences. Further clarification is also needed to update technical terminology in the restricted component regime.

Finally, the fee regime needs to be updated to capture all licences, permits and certificates, including those introduced through the changes to the Regulations, and to ensure it reflects current costs for the Program and improves transparency.

The amendments will also align with the Government of Canada’s 2025 commitment to reduce “red tape” through the Red Tape Review by clarifying, modernizing and streamlining requirements, thereby reducing the stakeholder burden posed by unnecessary and outdated requirements.

Background

In spring 2021, the Program initiated a comprehensive review of the Regulations to modernize the explosives regulatory regime in line with the Government of Canada’s regulatory modernization agenda. The Explosives Regulatory Review (the Review) engaged in extensive research, carried out targeted national and international comparisons to identify best practices, and conducted stakeholder and expert outreach to seek sector views on regulatory challenges.

The Review collected over 280 regulatory irritants from internal and external stakeholders and experts. The following five key themes emerged from this outreach:

To address the regulatory irritants, the Review divided proposed amendments into two consecutive packages. The first of the two regulatory amendment packages, titled Regulations Amending the Explosives Regulations, 2013, came into force on May 2, 2024, and was published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on May 22, 2024. The first package of amendments made changes to better align regulatory requirements with risk for products such as black powder and reactive targets, and updated the requirements for fireworks, including the introduction of a lower-risk novelty device category.

As this second package is seeking to amend existing regulatory fees, the Review completed a fee proposal. This proposal was created in accordance with the Directive on Charging and Special Financial Authorities and was shared with stakeholders in 2024 for comment.

Objective

The amendments are the second of two consecutive regulatory amendment packages stemming from the Review. The goals of this second regulatory package are to enhance safety and security and modernize the explosives regulatory regime. The amendments will enhance how the Program delivers its mandate of safeguarding Canadians from explosives, and will mitigate irritants identified by stakeholders, related to general safety and security concerns, and ambiguity around transportation of explosives, fees, licences and permits for specific explosives sectors.

Description

The Regulations are organized into 20 parts. The following are the main components of the amendments, organized by subject and the relevant parts.

Authorization and Classification of Explosives (Part 3)

Section 25 of the Regulations provides some exemptions to the section 11 requirement that a person may only undertake an activity involving an explosive if the explosive is authorized. For example, the Regulations allow private or commercial laboratories, governments, law enforcement agencies or learning institutions to manufacture a small amount of unauthorized explosives for purposes such as an experiment. However, the Regulations are silent on whether the entity may undertake any other activities involving the explosive, such as storage, possession or transportation. The amendments will clarify what associated activities may be undertaken in each circumstance with an unauthorized explosive. Explicit permissions to be added include

Manufacturing Explosives (Part 5)

Amendments to update requirements for the manufacture of explosives under Division 1

Amendments to update requirements related to the manufacture of explosives under Division 2

Remote avalanche control systems (Part 5 and Part 6)

The amendments

Magazine licences and storage in a licensed magazine (Part 6)

Enshrining current storage practices

The amendments codify the requirements that currently exist in guidelines for two types of third-party licences affecting the storage of explosives. The first licence is a shared licence that allows a licence holder to store explosives in the magazine of another authorized licence holder. The second licence is a drop-ship licence that authorizes the licence holder to offer explosives for resale using a drop-shipping supply chain management technique where explosives continue to be stored with the manufacturer or distributor until orders are filled.

Updated fire safety plan requirements

Amendments remove the requirement to submit fire safety plans to local fire departments and instead have licence holders advise local fire departments that fire safety plans are available on request.

User magazine zone licences

Amendments remove the requirement for user magazine zone licence holders to provide notice of change of site; instead, user magazine zone licence holders are required to submit a licence amendment when changing the site of the magazine, reflecting the current practice.

Transport permits (Parts 8 and 9)

To increase the safety and security of the transportation of explosives, the amendments implement a transport permit regime as a tool to monitor compliance and enforce transportation requirements. Under the permit regime, in order for carriers to transport high-hazard explosives (I, E and D) by road, carriers will be required to have a transport permit, covering the vehicles that will be used to transport explosives, produce evidence of that permit upon request by a shipper, and demonstrate that the obligations as a permit holder have been met, when requested by an inspector.

To apply for a transport permit, a carrier will be required to submit to the Chief Inspector of Explosives

Where the safety and security of transportation of explosives can be verified through other licensing and permitting regimes, or when transporting other types of explosives, persons and groups will not be required to hold a transport permit. For example,

The transport permit will be valid for three years.

Transport permit holders will be required to

Shippers will be required to verify that carriers transporting high-hazard explosives are permit holders or are exempted. If exempted, they will be required to verify that the driver is aware of transportation requirements under Part 9 in the manner and form the Minister specifies. Shippers will be required to keep records for two years of each carrier shipment that is hired.

Propellant powder sellers (Part 14)

The amendments

Rocket motors (Parts 3, 4, 5 and 15)

The amendments

Special effect pyrotechnics (Part 17)

The amendments specify that a seller may sell special effect pyrotechnics only to a person who holds a licence or to a user who holds the required fireworks operator certificate for the use of the pyrotechnics that are to be bought. The amendments also specify conditions that sellers would have to meet, such as keeping a record of the type of licence or certificate used to purchase the special effect pyrotechnics and ensuring that the record is kept two years after the date of sale.

Further amendments

Fireworks operator certificate — Display assistant (Part 18)

The amendments remove unnecessary financial and administrative burden by eliminating requirements within the Regulations for trained display assistants to receive a fireworks operator certificate from the Program and pay the corresponding fee before working as a display assistant.

Updating fees (Part 19)

The amendments update current fees, including adding new fees for existing permits and certificates that previously did not have fees. This includes adding fees to firecracker use certificates, export permits and in-transit permits. Fees have also been added or adjusted for new or expanded licences and permits in this package, including shared magazine licences, drop-ship magazine licences and the transport permit. Removed fees include the certificate to mechanically blend ammonium nitrate and fuel oil for immediate use at the blast site (Division 2 manufacturing certificate for blasting explosives) and a vendor magazine licence to store any other explosives — a distributor that repackages explosives. Total cost recovery is expected to achieve approximately 60%, consistent with the public private benefit assessment. Fees have been adjusted for inflation between when the original fee proposal was developed in 2022 and when the fees are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. Fees in the table below have been altered to reflect the all-items Consumer Price Index (CPI) released in April 2026.

Table 1: Current and new fees
Item Fee Current fee (2026–2027) New fee (Inflation adjusted)
1 Initial authorization for an indefinite period (1–20 products) $15.03 for each explosive, subject to a minimum fee per application of $156.60 and a maximum fee of $3,131.88 per year $191
2 Initial authorization for an indefinite period (21–50 products) $15.03 for each explosive, subject to a minimum fee per application of $156.60 and a maximum fee of $3,131.88 per year $448
3 Initial authorization for an indefinite Period (51–100 products) $15.03 for each explosive, subject to a minimum fee per application of $156.60 and a maximum fee of $3,131.88 per year $897
4 Initial authorization for an indefinite period (101–200 products) $15.03 for each explosive, subject to a minimum fee per application of $156.60 and a maximum fee of $3,131.88 per year $1,457
5 Initial authorization for an indefinite period (201–350 products) $15.03 for each explosive, subject to a minimum fee per application of $156.60 and a maximum fee of $3,131.88 per year $2,578
6 Initial authorization for an indefinite period (351 or more products) $15.03 for each explosive, subject to a minimum fee per application of $156.60 and a maximum fee of $3,131.88 per year $3,251
7 Reauthorization for an indefinite period annual fee (1–20 products)
  • (a) for an explosive manufactured in Canada, $5.03 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $1,565.94 per year, and
  • (b) for an explosive manufactured outside Canada, $18.79 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $3,131.88 per year
 $169
8 Reauthorization for an indefinite period annual fee (21–50 products)
  • (a) for an explosive manufactured in Canada, $5.03 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $1,565.94 per year, and
  • (b) for an explosive manufactured outside Canada, $18.79 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $3,131.88 per year
 $224
9 Reauthorization for an indefinite period annual fee (51–100 products)
  • (a) for an explosive manufactured in Canada, $5.03 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $1,565.94 per year, and
  • (b) for an explosive manufactured outside Canada, $18.79 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $3,131.88 per year
 $448
10 Reauthorization for an indefinite period annual fee (101–200 products)
  • (a) for an explosive manufactured in Canada, $5.03 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $1,565.94 per year, and
  • (b) for an explosive manufactured outside Canada, $18.79 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $3,131.88 per year
 $729
11 Reauthorization for an indefinite period annual fee (201–350 products)
  • (a) for an explosive manufactured in Canada, $5.03 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $1,565.94 per year, and
  • (b) for an explosive manufactured outside Canada, $18.79 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $3,131.88 per year
 $1,289
12 Reauthorization for an indefinite period annual fee (351 or more products)
  • (a) for an explosive manufactured in Canada, $5.03 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $1,565.94 per year, and
  • (b) for an explosive manufactured outside Canada, $18.79 per year for each explosive substance and each group of explosive articles having the same design and construction (regardless of differences in size or colour effects), subject to a minimum fee per manufacturer of $156.60 per year and a maximum fee per manufacturer of $3,131.88 per year
 $1,625
13 Authorization for a specified period, for use other than at a special event, tour or international competition $187.91 $280
14 Authorization for a specified period, for use at a special event, tour or international competition $626.37 for each event, subject to a $3,131.88 maximum for events that are part of the same tour or international competition $673 for each event, subject to a $3,251 maximum for events that are part of the same tour or international competition
15 Single-use import permit $197.09 $247
16 Annual import permit $200.44 plus $25.05 for each 1 000 kg NEQ (net explosive quantity) imported, subject to a maximum fee of $1,628.58 $224 plus $28 for each 1 000 kg NEQ imported, subject to a maximum fee of $1,794
17 Division 1 factory licence to manufacture explosives Subject to a minimum fee of $3758.25 and a maximum fee of $37,582.58, the total of
  • (a) $1002.20 for each process unit,
  • (b) $1002.20 for each mobile process unit,
  • (c) $21.30 for each 1 000 kg NEQ storage limit increment of each magazine other than a detonator magazine, and
  • (d) $281.87 for each detonator magazine
Renewal: Subject to a minimum fee of $3,758.25 and maximum fee of $37,582.58 the total of
  • (a) $720.33 for each process unit,
  • (b) $720.33 for each mobile process unit,
  • (c) $21.30 for each 1000 kg NEQ storage limit increment of each magazine other than a detonator magazine, and
  • (d) $281.87 for each detonator magazine
 Subject to a minimum fee of $2,242 and a maximum fee of $44,838, the total of
  • (a) $1,121 for each process unit
  • (b) $1,121 for each mobile process unit
  • (c) $336 per magazine
18 Division 2 factory licence to manufacture explosives — small operation Subject to a minimum fee of $1002.20 and a maximum fee of $3,758.25, the total of
  • (a) $1002.20 for each process unit, and
  • (b) $21.30 for each 1 000 kg NEQ storage limit increment, for any quantity greater than 250 kg NEQ
 $560 for
  • (a) personal use; or
  • (b) manufacturing activities under paragraph 107(1)(c) or (d); or
  • (c) operations with no more than one process unit and two magazines
  • (d) distribution establishment that repackages
19 Division 2 factory licence to manufacture explosives — standard operation Subject to a minimum fee of $1002.20 and a maximum fee of $3,758.25, the total of
  • (a) $1002.20 for each process unit, and
  • (b) $21.30 for each 1 000 kg NEQ storage limit increment, for any quantity greater than 250 kg NEQ
 $2,018
20 User magazine licence to store high explosives or initiation systems (type I, E and D), other than explosives stored by law enforcement agencies $175.38 per magazine, subject to a minimum fee of $350.77 $224 per magazine, subject to a minimum fee of $448
21 User magazine licence to store any other explosives, other than explosives stored by law enforcement agencies $71.40 (flat rate) $112 per magazine, subject to a minimum fee of $224
22 Vendor magazine licence to store high explosives or initiation systems (type I, E, D) $32.57 per 1 000 kg NEQ of storage limit increment of each magazine other than a detonator magazine, and $352.02 for each detonator magazine $224 per magazine, subject to a minimum fee of $448
23 Vendor magazine licence to store any other explosives — retailer $143.00 per retail establishment $224 per retail establishment
24 Vendor magazine licence to store any other explosives — distributor $438.46 per distribution establishment $560 per distribution establishment
25 Vendor magazine licence to store any other explosives — distributor that repackages explosives $862.27 per distribution establishment that repackages explosives N/A
26 Magazine shared licence New fee $224
27 Vendor magazine drop-ship licence New fee $224
28 User zone magazine licence to store high explosives or initiation systems $250.56 per magazine, subject to a minimum fee of $501.10 $448 per magazine, subject to a minimum fee of $897
29 Satellite site certificate (Division 1 certificate to manufacture blasting explosives — type I, E) $250.56 per month, subject to a minimum fee of $1002.20 and a maximum fee of $2,004.41 $1,681 — valid for 6 months
30 Certificate to mechanically blend ammonium nitrate and fuel oil for immediate use at blast site (Division 2 certificate to manufacture blasting explosives) $985.45 N/A
31 Division 2 manufacturing certificate $76.50 $280
32 Initial fireworks operator certificate $187.90 $196 — valid for 5 years
33 Modification to or change of fireworks operator certificate $102 $179 — valid for 5 years
34 Renewal of a fireworks operator certificate $102 $179 — valid for 5 years
35 Firecracker use certificate New fee $56
36 Single-use export permit New fee $247
37 Annual export permit New fee $224 plus $28 for each 1 000 kg NEQ exported, subject to a maximum fee of $1,794
38 Single-use in-transit permit New fee $25
39 Annual in-transit permit New fee $224
40 Transport permit New fee $22 per vehicle, subject to a minimum of $224 and a maximum of $841 — valid for 3 years

Restricted Components (Part 20)

The amendments define enrolment, as follows, to align the Regulations with actual practices of the Program:

Further amendments include

Modernization and general “clean-up”

Finally, the amendments modernize the Regulations by moving to more performance-based requirements (e.g. changing sign requirements to be less prescriptive), removing obsolete requirements (e.g. references to the National Standard of Canada Standard CAN/BNQ throughout the Regulations) and references to outdated technologies (e.g. replacing references to logbooks with maintenance records), streamlining requirements to reduce duplication and inconsistencies, and updating language as needed to reflect current industry best practices (e.g. replacing instances of area plans or site plans with site/area plans).

Regulatory development

Consultation

The Review conducted five phases of consultation with the explosives sector stakeholders. The first phase was a policy consultation in spring 2021 to identify regulatory irritants to guide the planning for developing proposed amendments.

Policy consultation (spring 2021)

During the initial spring 2021 policy consultation, the Review reached out to industry associations, sellers and law enforcement, in writing, to introduce the Review and seek their input on regulatory irritants. The Review also held virtual meetings in March and April 2021 with law enforcement organizations, including the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the SĂ»retĂ© du QuĂ©bec (SQ), the Service de police de la Ville de MontrĂ©al (SPVM) and the Toronto Police Service, with provincial counterparts, namely the Canadian Association of Chief Inspectors of Mines (CACIM), and with industry associations, including the Canadian Association of Rocketry, the Canadian Explosives Industry Association (CEAEC), the Canadian National Fireworks Association (CNFA), the Canadian Pyrotechnic Council (CPC), the Energy Services Association of Canada (Enserva) and Responsible Distribution Canada (RDC), to introduce the Review. After each meeting, the Review followed up by email with the organization or association to request their written input on regulatory irritants. The Review also engaged with other government departments by email to seek their written input on regulatory irritants. The response from other government departments and external outreach with provincial counterparts, industry associations, sellers and law enforcement generated 137 irritants.

Regulatory pre-consultation (summer 2023)

Beginning in June 2023, the Review began consulting on the second package of proposed amendments to the Regulations. The Review consulted by email with all the stakeholders that were notified of the Regulatory Review during the initial spring 2021 outreach, including all stakeholders that met with the Review or provided written comments at that time. The Review provided eight weeks to provide comments. Five responses were received from stakeholder groups, specifically the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA), CEAEC, Parks Canada and one individual. As the proposed amendments were developed in response to stakeholder irritants, feedback from the largest stakeholder groups (for example CEAEC) during the regulatory consultations was generally supportive and positive, and questions from stakeholders were mainly seeking clarification.

Fee consultation (winter/spring 2023/2024)

The Review presented the rationale and outlined the fee review process for the CEAEC membership on November 9, 2023. The Review received questions related to a consultation process and CEAEC members suggested that the Program expand its stakeholder outreach to ensure all those affected were informed of proposed amendments. The proposed fees were emailed to all stakeholders for a consultation period from December 11, 2023, to January 30, 2024.

In response, the Review received a few queries seeking clarification on proposed fee amounts for fireworks operator certificates. The Review also received written comments from Parks Canada on proposed fee amounts and how they would be applied to Parks specifically. No other formal comments were received from stakeholders and NRCan addressed the questions raised by providing information on proposed fees and their application to stakeholders.

Industry-specific consultation (2024)

The Review presented the full package of amendments (minus amendments related to avalanche towers and rocket motors) to the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) Eastern Canada Chapter’s annual general meeting on February 27, 2024. ISEE asked questions related to the proposed changes to fees for their industry. Questions were answered and the proposed regime was clarified; no follow-up questions were asked.

The Review additionally presented key proposed amendments (including proposed transportation amendments) to CEAEC’s annual general meeting the week of June 17, 2024. Furthermore, on proposed amendments related to transport permits, the Review met with the Canadian Trucking Alliance on June 27, 2024. Both CEAEC and the Canadian Trucking Alliance were supportive of the proposed transport permit.

Prepublication in the Canada Gazette, Part I (fall 2025)

The proposed amendments were prepublished in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on November 1, 2025, followed by a 30-day comment period ending November 30, 2025. A total of 154 comments were received via the Online Regulatory Consultation System (ORCS), including submissions from the CAFC, CEAEC, CNFA, Canada’s National Firearms Association (NFA), and Parks Canada. During the 30-day comment period, the Program met with CACIM on November 3, CEAEC on November 13, MAC on November 20, the Canadian Trucking Alliance on November 24, CPC on November 25 and 26, and CSAAA on November 27. Comments received mainly pertained to requests for substantive changes to the proposed transport permit (53); requests for changes to the distribution establishments that repackage commercial fireworks (19); expressions of broad disapproval towards the proposal (49); moving the propellant powder registration online (17); and requesting minor, mostly technical changes (e.g. wording changes to better reflect current business practices) [16]. As mentioned above, although NRCan published a fee proposal for comment, stakeholders did not provide comprehensive or robust feedback until the proposed fees were set out in the prepublication. Among the comments received at prepublication, fees (among other things) were mentioned 56 times. Some comments resulted in policy changes that required updates to the amendments, which are detailed below.

The following changes were made to the regulatory requirements:

  1. Rocket Motors: The proposed increase in the number of model rocket motors (40) that could be imported into Canada was removed in favour of maintaining the existing limit of six. Initial consultation had indicated support for the change in 2021, and no further comments were received by NRCan during consultation prior to prepublication. However, subsequent comments received during prepublication from a large retail stakeholder suggested raising the limit would negatively impact Canadian import businesses and could increase the ’grey market’ tactics used by some illicit sellers. Following this, NRCan conducted follow-up consultations with industry stakeholders to confirm support for removing the proposed amendment. When consulted directly, comments received from the Canadian Association of Rocketry noted that the proposed changes would not result in significant benefits, given that permit-exempted rocket motors are very low powered. Additionally, during consultations after the prepublication, a comment was received in favour of keeping the limit of rocket motors imported into Canada at six. Therefore, the decision was made to remove this proposed amendment. Given the implementation of other changes for rocket motors, such as the introduction of an advanced high-power rocket motor category, NRCan has adequately addressed the interests of the industry in this group of regulatory changes.
    • Additionally, Part 15 Division 3 ’Advanced High-power Rocket Motors’ was updated to include language present in every other division within Part 15 on the storage and reuse of packaging. This change, which was identified in an internal review by NRCan, will ensure that all types of rocket motors are stored within proper storage units, without installed motors and under a maximum quantity, if the stakeholder does not have a licence. The change, which will ensure alignment with other sections of the Regulations, is not expected to carry incremental impacts for stakeholders.
  2. Distribution establishments that repackage commercial fireworks: Comments were received from 19 fireworks stakeholders, including the CNFA and the CPC, expressing concern regarding the transfer from a storage to a manufacturing licence of distributors that repackage explosives (repackers). Stakeholders expressed concerns that they were not adequately consulted on amendments prior to prepublication. Additionally, stakeholders were concerned about the increased fee related to the new licence, new administrative and licensing requirements, and the potential for the change to affect a significant portion of stakeholders. In response to comments received, as well as letters both associations wrote to the Minister of Natural Resources, NRCan officials met with both organizations on May 26, 2026, and replied to their concerns by letter. Given the need to ensure repackaging activities align with other Division 2 activities, such as the repackaging of other consumer products, the decision was made to remove the fee category for Vendor magazine licence to store any other explosives — other persons (section 453) from the fee table in recognition that these stakeholders would now need a Division 2 factory licence to manufacture explosives — a small operation fee. This is necessary, as the amendments will move all licence holders in this fee category to Division 2 manufacturing licences, and retaining an unused category in the fee table would reduce clarity for stakeholders. As proposed at prepublication, the decision to move distributors that repackage from a storage to a manufacturing licence was not changed. This is because repackaging explosives is a workplace activity and the additional safety and security measures within Part 5 (for example, documented worker training, PPE and disposal of waste and contaminated materials) were deemed necessary, with requirements being scalable to the size and complexity of operations. In recognition of concerns raised by stakeholders, the Program has moved this group of stakeholders (estimated to be fewer than 10 entities) from a Division 2 factory licence to manufacture explosives — standard operation to a Division 2 factory licence to manufacture explosives — small operation (Section 453). This will decrease fees for repackers by approximately $300 from baseline levels. Additionally, in response to stakeholder comments raised during the May 26 meeting about compliance timelines, amendments have been made to sections 52(1) and 152 (which clarify the repackaging of commercial fireworks as a manufacturing activity) to delay coming into force by 12 months to ensure that stakeholders will not have to acquire new licences until after the new fee structure is introduced. This will avoid the imposition of an additional administrative burden and give stakeholders additional time to prepare for the transition to a new licence type.
  3. Transport Permit: 34% of comments (53) received were about the proposed transport permit. Stakeholders from the fireworks industry were concerned that, since their product represents such a small amount of goods transported for these companies, instead of applying for a transport permit for explosives, owner/operator trucks in particular would simply cease accepting these goods for transport. This was especially concerning to them, as they primarily seek to transport PE 3 and PE 4 type explosives with a lower risk of ignition than industrial explosives. Given this and other feedback, changes were made to limit the scope of the transport permit to carriers transporting high hazard (types I, E, and D) explosives. Subsection 190.1(5) was also updated to clarify that those holding a manufacturing certificate, as well as vehicles licensed outside of Canada and not transporting explosives between sites in Canada, would not be required to apply for a transport permit. This change is not expected to result in any safety or security impacts, as existing United States explosives licences and permits cover the transportation of explosives by American carriers. Sections 190.2 and 190.3 have been amended to require shippers of explosives other than I, E and D to verify that drivers have received information on requirements to transport explosives (including measures to prevent accidental ignition, limit the spread of fire or explosion and protect people from the effects of fire or explosion) and keep records of the driver’s knowledge for two years. NRCan conducted additional consultations with stakeholders about those further changes and no concerns were raised. These changes are expected to ensure that drivers of explosives are aware of the transport requirements within the Regulations, while avoiding the imposition of new administrative burdens for those transporting lower-risk explosives. Amendments requiring drivers transporting non-high-hazard explosives to receive information on requirements to transport explosives, combined with smaller loads and less explosive risk of their loads, allow for driver training on, and awareness of, the risks of transporting explosives, while ensuring that the regulatory burden is more commensurate for smaller carriers. Additionally, the wording of the new requirement will ensure that training materials can be communicated in numerous ways to drivers (e.g. electronically, in person, through physical paper). Additional changes clarify that shippers must verify that drivers are trained, or hold an applicable transport permit, before they are hired to ensure shippers are hiring drivers and companies competent to transport explosives. The amendments also require records to be held for two years to ensure proper verification and inspection.
    • Verification methods, guidance, and training materials will be posted online and sent to stakeholders — and will also be available through the electronic management system — one year before the implementation of the transport permit. Stakeholders were supportive of this approach.
  4. Transporting detonators: Following feedback from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s Mining Health and Safety Program that the list of explosives requiring tracking and communication systems when transporting did not reflect current industry practices or ensure an equivalent level of safety to those transporting traditional detonators, language in subsection 198(2) was updated to ensure that digital and electronic detonators are included in requirements for tracking and communications systems when transporting. This change, which is not expected to have any incremental impacts on stakeholders, was necessary because digital and electronic detonators have been reclassified under a new UN number (previously they were included under a broader category in the Regulations).
  5. Pneumatic transfer of explosives: Proposed changes to subsection 137(1) included in prepublication would have captured underground facilities using pneumatic charging devices in a manner that is not consistent with the existing Regulations, potentially requiring underground sites to apply for a Division 1 licence. Following comments from stakeholders, including the Mining Association of Canada, it was determined that that this amendment had been included in prepublication by mistake: it was tied to elements that were previously contemplated but not actually proposed at prepublication. Therefore, the amendment has been removed.
  6. Manufacture of jet perforating guns: Feedback received during prepublication from Enserva, a trade association representing Canada’s energy service, supply and manufacturing sector, requested added clarity on which activities were allowed when manufacturing jet perforating guns at a client site. In response to this feedback, section 100.5 was updated to clarify the conditions in which a Division 1 licence holder may manufacture jet perforating guns at a client site. To better reflect industry practice, amendments now mention both assembly and disassembly as acceptable practices at a client site under specific conditions. These changes are clarifications and are not expected to carry any incremental impacts for stakeholders.
  7. Propellant powder: In prepublication, references to propellant powder were unintentionally removed from section 285 and subsections 287(3) to (6). These changes were made in error and were later identified during an internal review. As such, these references have been reinserted.
    • Following feedback received from a stakeholder at prepublication, a reference to propellant powder storage in back rooms was removed from a proposed amendment to section 286.4, as the wording was ambiguous and may not reflect all retailer layouts. Additionally, a requirement for a minimum distance of 10 m between each magazine storing propellant powder was added to section 286.4 to ensure the safety and security of these establishments. This change is part of ongoing efforts to move away from placing universal terms and conditions on stakeholder licences, and instead place requirements given to all stakeholders with one license type publicly within the Regulations. Stakeholders were advised of this additional amendment after the prepublication. As it will not represent an operational change for those storing propellant powder, no concerns were raised.
  8. Records: Stakeholders noted that the term ’progressive cavity pump logbook and maintenance record’ does not adequately reflect industry practice, as traditional logbooks are no longer used. As such, subsections 68(8) and 98(10) were updated to refer to ’progressive cavity pump records.’
  9. Reuse of packaging: At prepublication, changes were proposed to allow a package or container to be reused if the mass of explosives shipped within them is equal to or less than the mass certified for the packaging utilized. To ensure consistency throughout the Regulations, and in response to stakeholder comments, the same changes were added in paragraphs 345(2)(d), 359(1)(d), 371(1)(d), 419(1)(d) and 429(1)(d).
  10. Fees (Part 19): To increase clarity for stakeholders who raised questions outside the prepublication process, wording was added to subsection 453(1), noting that, unless stated otherwise, all fees are annual.
    • Authorization fees: Stakeholders expressed concerns that the new proposed fee structure for authorizations would cause undue financial burden to some entities seeking authorizations, particularly small businesses. In response, the number of explosives that could be authorized within specific fees was increased. For example, at prepublication, Fee 4 would have applied to authorizations of 51–100 products. The fee structure has been updated and now Fee 4 will apply to a larger range (101–200) of products.
    • One stakeholder suggested that authorization fees should be determined by product families rather than individual explosive products. Given the complexity of determining product families, the decision was made to keep graduated fee amounts, but to increase the number of eligible product authorizations in each category to reduce costs for stakeholders who must authorize many similar product types.
    • Satellite site certificates: An internal review conducted after the prepublication identified a mistake in the name of this fee category, as satellite site certificates for type D are not issued by the Program and not used for industrial applications. Therefore, references to this type of explosive in the fee description were removed from the Regulations.
    • Division 2 factory licence to manufacture explosives — low complexity (now “small operation”) [$350 at prepublication]: comments were received from 19 stakeholders expressing concerns that the scope for this fee category was too narrow. Considering the large fee jump to $1,800 (at prepublication) for the next category (Division 2 — standard complexity), stakeholders raised concerns that several businesses that run smaller and/or non-complex operations may be faced with a substantial fee increase if they are captured in the “Division 2 — standard complexity” (now “standard operation”) category. To ensure that smaller stakeholders who run small and/or and non-complex operations are not faced with undue increases in fees, while also recognizing the increased work for the Program should this category expand, two changes were made. The first expands the type of stakeholder who could utilize the “small operation” fee category to include operations with no more than one process unit and two magazines, with no restriction on the type of operation (e.g. personal versus commercial). Distribution establishments that repackage explosives were also added to this fee category. Secondly, as this expanded category will require additional inspector time to facilitate, the fee has been increased from $350 at prepublication to $560. Of this increase, $150 was added to account for additional inspector time and $60 was added due to inflation adjustment.
    • Division 2 manufacturing certificate for blasting explosives: Proposed amendments in prepublication updated requirements related to the manufacture of explosives under Division 2 by clarifying that only non-mechanical mixing of non-explosive components for the purpose of manufacturing industrial explosives at the site of use would be considered a Division 2 activity. As this clarification will remove the need for stakeholders to apply for a Division 2 manufacturing certificate for blasting explosives, the associated fee has also been removed. This amendment, which was not included in prepublication due to oversight, is not expected to have any incremental impact on stakeholders.
    • Additionally, as a result of an internal review conducted after prepublication, the “Division 2 manufacturing certificate for all other explosives” was renamed to “Division 2 manufacturing certificate” for clarity and simplicity. This non-substantive amendment will align with stakeholder feedback received throughout consultations that regulatory wording should be clear and easy to understand.
    • User magazine licences: One comment received at prepublication, which was echoed at stakeholder meetings during this time, noted the role of police services in supporting the Explosives Program and recommended that police services be exempted from proposed fees for magazine licences to store explosives and/or initiation systems. NRCan agreed with the recommendations and, therefore, the Regulations were updated to exclude law enforcement agencies from user magazine licence fees.
    • User magazine zone licence to store high explosives or initiation systems: Following stakeholder feedback at prepublication, and to ensure the appropriate categorization of operational and activity fees for user magazines, the fee for zone licences was revised. The new fee was aligned with the cost of holding two separate user magazine licences within a single year. This change was intended to prevent stakeholders from applying for two separate storage licences in the same year to avoid paying the higher zone licence fee. Under the previous fee structure, two storage licences cost a total of $800, compared with a zone licence fee of $900. The lower-cost option created an incentive for applicants to pursue multiple licences rather than a single zone licence.
  11. General cleanup: Issues within these sections were identified through stakeholder comments and internal reviews.
    • An amendment was made to subsection 60(6) to correct an error: due to oversight, subsection 60(6) was missing a requirement for applications of Division 1 licence to include both the distance required and the actual distance on a site plan.
    • An amendment was made to ensure the consistent use of the term “mobile process unit” throughout the Regulations. At prepublication, the proposed Regulations used the initialism MPU.
    • An amendment was made to paragraph 192(3)(b) to clarify that explosives must be stowed or separated from other items in a way that minimizes the risk of ignition when transporting any amount of explosives, whether above or below 2 000 kg.
    • Subsection 211(1): Following feedback from a police detachment — and given that law enforcement agencies are presently exempted from needing to obtain a licence from the Program if they acquire and store military explosives in the hazard categories PE 3 and PE 4, an amendment was added to ensure that the acquisition and storage of explosives of a lower category (PE N/A) will not require a licence. This change was not included in the prepublication, but given its relevance for law enforcement agencies, it has been added to the Regulations. This amendment, which is clarifying in nature, is consistent with NRCan’s policy intentions in prepublication.
    • Section 221: The French spelling of remote avalanche control systems was corrected.
    • Section 244.1: To ensure consistency throughout the Regulations and clarify requirements for the storage/creation of a consumer pack to ensure the safety of low-hazard special purpose explosives, references to flares in subsection 244.1 were changed to low-hazard special purpose explosives.
    • Subsection 390(2): To ensure consistency between Part 17 (which allowed reactive targets to be stored within a dwelling) and Part 13 (which did not allow reactive targets to be stored within a dwelling), references to reactive targets stored within a dwelling were removed. This change, which was identified internally by NRCan, will ensure consistent application of storage rules for the same products across the Regulations. This change is not expected to carry any incremental impacts, because, in the baseline, very few stakeholders store reactive targets within a dwelling, and those who do would have storage of reactive targets covered under the terms and conditions of their storage licence.
    • Subsection 434(5): To clarify that only a display assistant or display visitor who holds a fireworks operator certificate (display supervisor) or a fireworks operator certificate (display supervisor with endorsement) may handle fireworks in a loading zone or fallout zone, the word “only” was added for clarity to ensure that only people listed in this provision may handle fireworks in a loading or fallout zone.
    • Section 453: Within the table, the transport permit was referred to as a transportation permit. This has been rectified to ensure consistent terminology throughout the Regulations.

A summary of other key issues raised by stakeholders about the amendments during the 30-day comment period, and NRCan’s responses, are below:

Other comments received during the 30-day comment period generally consisted of requests for clarification and expressions that the Program should not be involved in ammunition or firearms policy. It is by virtue of the fact that propellant powder and many other firearms products are classified as explosives and represent an explosive risk to safety and security that such goods are captured by the Regulations. Comments were determined to be out of scope if they did not reference any change being proposed to the Regulations. For example, a comment discussed the need for the Government to focus on illegal firearms crossing the border into Canada. As NRCan does not regulate firearms, this comment was determined to be out of scope. Nevertheless, the Program has noted some suggestions for consideration in future amendment packages.

Following the 30-day comment period, a list of changes to the proposed amendments to address stakeholder comments and concerns was sent to stakeholders by email on April 8 requesting comments by April 24, 2026. The Review also met with CEAEC on February 11, 2026, to further discuss the updates to the amendments following the 30-day comment period. Feedback received on the updates to the amendments during the meeting was supportive. However, stakeholders also reiterated concerns raised during prepublication about the calculation of authorization fees and the incremental burden associated with the proposed transport permit.

Summary of changes made since prepublication

The following changes have been made to the amendments since the prepublication:

Indigenous engagement, consultation and modern treaty obligations

In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Federal Approach to Modern Treaty Implementation, an assessment of modern treaty implications (AMTI) was conducted for the amendments. As part of the AMTI, all treaties with provisions related to explosives were evaluated against the amendments to the Regulations. No modern treaty implications or impacts on Indigenous peoples were found and it was determined that the amendments would not trigger the Crown’s duty to consult.

In line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA), an analysis was completed for the amendments. This assessment found that the level of impact associated with these amendments is Level 1 — Broad, general initiatives with little direct, indirect or particularized impact on Indigenous peoples. Therefore, an informed engagement on this package of amendments has been put together to ensure that Indigenous groups are aware of changes to the Regulations and had the opportunity to be engaged on these changes.

Instrument choice

Under the status quo scenario, safety would not be enhanced, out-of-date provisions would not be updated, and fees would not be updated. To be specific,

After consulting extensively with stakeholders, the Review concluded that regulatory amendments are the only practical way to address stakeholder irritants with the Regulations and to improve safety and security while still aligning fee structures with program costs, including the introduction of new permits and licence types such as transport permits. Furthermore, lessons learned from program implementation have indicated that regulatory amendments are required to better align some requirements with the risk posed by certain explosives. For example, if certain explosives classifications are not included in the list of materials requiring tracking and communication systems during vehicle transport, it is difficult to ensure that the industry adopts these systems to support safe transportation.

To address the safety and security concerns with the transportation of explosives, caused by a lack of knowledge and awareness of the regime, as well as the inconsistent security screening of drivers, the Review considered undertaking a comprehensive knowledge and awareness campaign. However, even with increased knowledge and awareness, challenges with compliance verification and enforcement would remain, resulting in a need to propose a transport permit regime that would enhance awareness by requiring shippers to use permitted carriers, require record keeping for compliance verification, and require a permit that provides increased enforcement options.

Likewise, while propellant powder sellers have been required under the Regulations to inform the Chief Inspector of Explosives that they are selling propellant powder, historically the rate of compliance is quite low. Non-regulatory options, such as outreach and awareness, have been pursued over the past few years but still leave safety and security gaps that cannot be filled within the current regulatory framework. Introducing a registration program is a small incremental change from the requirement to inform, which ensures that sellers of propellant powder are not unduly burdened by fees and yearly application requirements while also ensuring compliance by requiring distributors to verify that retail buyers have a registration number. Care has been taken to include where possible outcome-based or performance-based regulations. For example, requirements for mobile process units (MPUs) have been altered from time-based requirements (ex. MPUs must be cleaned every 30 days) to outcome-based requirements (MPUs must be maintained in good operating condition). Similar changes have been made to the Regulations in relation to smoking provisions, perforating guns and remote avalanche control systems.

Regulatory analysis

Benefits and costs

Benefits and costs associated with the amendments are assessed by comparing the baseline scenario against the regulatory scenario. The baseline scenario is based on the present version of the Regulations and assumes no change to the current cost structure or changes to the fees charged. For example, it forecasts the costs with current fees as they are set that year within each category listed in Part 19 of the Regulations. This analysis estimated the impact of the amendments over a 10-year period from 2026 to 2035. Unless otherwise stated, all costs are in 2025 Canadian dollars, with present values discounted to 2026, using a rate of 7%.

The amendments will carry annualized benefits of $613,440 and annualized costs of $558,108 over the period of 2025–2034. The total present value of benefits is $4,308,546, and the total present value of costs is $3,919,916, for a total net present benefit of approximately $388,631.

The benefits and costs presented here are different from those presented at prepublication, on account of inflation-adjusted numbers (particularly fees and wages), updated revenue numbers and projections, and adjustments to several previously proposed changes. At prepublication, NRCan estimated that the proposed amendments would have present value benefits of $3,946,160 and present value costs of $3,747,395, for a total net present benefit of approximately $198,765.

Benefits

Changes in fees for various Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD) permissions are projected to increase government revenue by $439,097 in years 1, 4, 7, and 10, and by $426,482 in other years. The total present value of the increased revenue is $3.12 million.

Removing the display assistant fireworks operator certificate category will result in a combined annual savings for industry of $36,090, and a savings for Government of $12,955 annually. The combined total present value of time savings is $344,470.

By integrating fire safety plans into the licence application process, magazine licence holders will save $46,185. The combined total present value of time savings is $324,381.

Changes to the structure of the fees for an authorization for an indefinite period will save industry $71,734 annually, for a total present value of $503,830.

Moving fireworks repackers from a vendor magazine licence (distributor that repackages) to a Division 2 manufacturing licence (low-complexity) will save industry approximately $2,536 annually due to reduced fees, for a total present value of $17,812.

Costs

The amendments update the Explosives Regulatory Division’s cost-recovery regime by amending all existing fees and introducing new fees. Fees will increase in March 2027 in line with ERD’s fiscal year and the introduction of ERD’s new IT system. Increased fee revenue for Government is considered a cost for industry. The total present value of the increased fees is $3.12 million.

Applications for transport permits will cost the industry $1,960 per year, for a total present value of $13,764.

For shippers who do not require a transport permit, the incremental costs associated with the two-year record-keeping requirement for shippers of explosives other than types I, E and D are expected to be minimal. Record-keeping is already required on shipping documents under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations. However, stakeholders would be required to indicate on their existing shipping documentation that the driver’s explosives training has been verified.

Record-keeping requirements for the transport permit will create costs of $3,919 for industry, for a total present value of $27,529. Industry will also incur training costs related to the transport permit in year one of $78,390, representing an annualized value of $11,161.

The present value cost to government of the transport permit is $112,270, representing $15,985 in annualized costs. This includes costs for developing training materials, reviewing applications, conducting internal training, inspections, and including the transport permit in the eLMS system.

The Government will incur total present value costs of $130,553 to administer and enforce the propellant powder requirements, which includes updating and maintaining the electronic Licence Management System (eLMS). All costs to Government would be managed within existing resources.

The fireworks industry will see costs of $4,181 in year 1, as a result of new administration and documentation requirements for repackers under a Division 2 factory licence.

Cost-benefit statement
Table 2: Monetized benefits (millions)
Impacted stakeholder Description of benefit 2026 2027 2030 2035 Total (present value) Annualized value
Industry Removal of requirement to submit fire safety plans, reduction in model rocket motors to be imported without a permit, removal of display assistant (fireworks operating certificate) $156,544 $156,544 $156,544 $156,544 $1,099,500 $156,544
Government Increased revenue and removal of display assistant (fireworks operating certificate) $452,052 $439,437 $439,437 $452,052 $3,209,047 $456,896
All stakeholders Total benefits $608,596 $595,981 $595,981 $608,596 $4,308,546 $613,440
Table 3: Monetized costs (millions)
Impacted stakeholder Description of cost 2026 2027 2030 2035 Total (present value) Annualized value
Industry Permitting, licensing and fees and administrative costs to fireworks repackers (year 1) $601,529 $506,343 $506,343 $518,958 $3,677,094 $523,535
Government Administration of permitting and licensing requirements $83,331 $60,058 $21,272 $21,272 $242,822 $34,572
All stakeholders Total costs $684,860 $566,402 $527,616 $540,231 $3,919,916 $558,108
Table 4: Summary of monetized benefits and costs
Impacts 2026 2027 2030 2035 Total (present value) Annualized value
Total benefits $608,596 $595,981 $595,981 $608,596 $4,308,546 $613,440
Total costs $684,860 $566,402 $527,616 $540,231 $3,919,916 $558,108
Net impact −$76,263 $29,580 $68,366 $68,366 $388,631 $55,332
Qualitative impacts

Positive impacts

Enhanced public safety in Canada, due to

Small business lens

Analysis under the small business lens concluded that the amendments will impact small businesses. There are well over 1 000 active business-related licences issued under the Regulations, representing hundreds of different stakeholders, including many small businesses. Additionally, fireworks operating certificates (FOCs) are often held by individuals or groups considered to be “small businesses,” and these number over 10 000. Consultations included small businesses that provided information on the costs they currently face, advising that any costs should be kept lower for small businesses. Stakeholder consultation has been the driving force of the Review, and the amendments in this package aim to address the irritants identified by stakeholders.

The amendments can be broken into administrative and compliance costs.

The administrative costs include

The compliance costs include

It is expected that all businesses (including small businesses) will benefit from improved clarity and enhanced safety. The frequency with which a business encounters the Regulations is a determining factor in how impacted the business would be from the amendments. In other words, while some small businesses are expected to incur some incremental costs, others will experience cost reductions. However, most costs emerging from the amendments will not accrue to small businesses.

Small business lens summary
Table 5: Benefits
Administrative or compliance Description of benefit Present value Annualized value
Compliance Moving fireworks repackers to Division 2 – fee benefit $17,812 $2,536
Administrative Remove display assistant FOC (Industry) $253,478 $36,090
Remove requirement to submit fire safety plans to local fire departments $155,079 $22,080
Total Total benefits $426,368 $60,705
Table 6: Costs
Administrative or compliance Description of cost Present value Annualized value
Administrative Transport Permit – Application Cost $13,764 $1,960
Transport Permit – Record Keeping $27,529 $3,919
Compliance Transport Permit - Training $78,390 $11,161
Fee change –Division 2 manufacturing licence $87,935 $12,520
Fee change – Division 2 manufacturing certificate $938,491 $133,620
Fee change – User magazine licence – Other Explosives $14,061 $2,002
Fee change – Vendor magazine licence – other explosives (retail) $372,531 $53,040
Fee Change – Transport Permit $38,180 $5,436
Fee change – FOC – Initial $85,294 $12,144
Fee change – FOC – Modification $204,969 $29,183
Fee change – FOC – Renewal $277,438 $39,501
Fee change – Firecracker use certificate $3,933 $560
Total Total costs $2,146,697 $305,641
Table 7: Net impacts
Amount Present value Annualized value
Net impact on all impacted small businesses [Total benefits minus total costs] −$1,720,329 −$244,936
Average net impact on each impacted small business [Net impact divided by number of impacted small businesses] −$518 −$74

It is estimated that 3 323 small businesses will be impacted by the amendments. The net impact of changes in compliance and administrative costs to small business is $244,936 in new costs per year, for a present value of $1,720,329 in costs over the next 10 years. This represents $74 in costs per small business per year, for a present value of $518 in costs per small business over the next 10 years.

One-for-one rule

The one-for-one rule applies, since there is an incremental decrease in the administrative burden on business. The proposal is considered a burden OUT under the rule, and no regulatory titles are repealed or introduced. The amendments will result in annualized administrative net cost savings of $13,930.

As per the Red Tape Reduction Regulations, the assessment of administrative impacts was conducted for a period of 10 years commencing from registration. All values listed in this section are presented in 2012 dollars, discounted to 2012 at a rate of 7%.

The total annualized cost savings from the reduced administrative burden is estimated to be $15,791. The administrative cost savings are attributed to the removal of the requirement to submit fire safety plans to local fire departments and to the removal of the display assistant fireworks operator certificate (cost of the certificate and the time required to apply).

The total annualized cost of the incremental administrative burden is estimated to be $1,861. The increase in the administrative cost is linked to the applications for a transport permit and to the record-keeping requirements for the transport permit, as well as the new administrative costs associated with moving fireworks repackers to Division 2.

Regulatory cooperation and alignment

While the amendments are not part of any existing formal regulatory cooperation initiative, the Review assessed the regulatory regimes of other jurisdictions and aligned the regulation with those regimes where possible to ensure the amendments reflect good regulatory practices. The introduction of the advanced high-power rocket motor (type R.4) classification also promotes harmonization with regulation in the United States. The Review found that, for many regulatory requirements, the Program and the explosives regulatory regime in Canada are the international leaders when it comes to regulating the explosives sector.

Effects on the environment

In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, a preliminary scan concluded that a strategic environmental assessment is not required.

Gender-based analysis plus

The amendments are not expected to result in adverse impacts to any groups based on gender, sex, age, language, education, geography, culture, ethnicity, income, ability, sexual orientation or other identity factors. The regulatees for this proposal tend to be within the 18- to 65-year-old range, more male than female and are more often in rural areas. Rural parties are more likely to be impacted by changes, as most explosive manufacturing and storage activities take place outside of urban areas. The regulatory changes would provide positive changes in the form of increased safety and security to the rural communities where explosives are manufactured and stored and would provide licence and permit holders with regulatory clarity while reflecting modern practices.

Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards

Implementation

The amendments will come into force on a staggered basis. While some amendments will come into force upon publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II, fee amendments, online propellent powder enrolment and amendments related to distribution establishments that repackage commercial fireworks will come into force in the fiscal year following publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II. Amendments related to transport permits will come into force two years following publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II. To support implementation, NRCan has updated guidance materials as needed and will make them available to stakeholders on or before the date of publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II. NRCan will notify stakeholders of the changes, provide additional information on the amendments on its website, and continue to engage closely with stakeholders as needed. NRCan determined that a compliance period would not be necessary for new requirements other than fees, propellant powder amendments, and new transport permit requirements. Stakeholders have been consulted throughout the regulatory development process and had multiple opportunities to review and provide feedback on the proposed amendments. Likewise, the amendments which come into force on publication are not expected to necessitate a significant investment of time or resources on the part of stakeholders. Indeed, many of the requirements are already incorporated into existing program policies and guidance, and, therefore, most affected stakeholders are expected to already be in compliance, or able to achieve compliance with a minimal effort.

Compliance and enforcement

Compliance and enforcement activities will begin on the day that the amendments come into force. These may include monitoring compliance through an inspection program, compliance verification and investigation activities based on complaints or identified non-compliance with the Regulations, and education and information sharing through the development of information materials and other compliance promotion activities. Potential penalties are dependent on the severity of a non-compliance and could include further education and awareness, corrective action letters, cease and desist of activities or prosecution. NRCan would conduct outreach activities as needed to increase awareness of the new requirements and to assist stakeholders in achieving compliance.

Service standards

The existing service standard for ERD to make a decision on applications for authorizations of explosives for both specified and indefinite periods is within 40 days from receipt of the complete documentation. NRCan’s existing service standard to process applications for most new licences, permits and certificates and renewals is 30 business days from receipt of the complete documentation and fee payment. NRCan’s existing service standard to process initial Division 1 factory licence applications is within 60 business days from receipt of the complete documentation and fee payment.

The Program remits a portion of each fee (except for the fees identified as low-materiality fees) when it has failed to meet the service standard due to circumstances within the Program’s control. It does not remit amounts of $2 or less, and no interest is included.

Fee remissions are issued in June, after the fiscal year in which the Program fails to meet the service standard. The fee is remitted in the same form as it was paid and the remission is equal to 15% of the fee paid for the first 15 business days beyond the expected service standard period or 25% of the fee paid for more than 16 business days beyond the expected service standard period.

These service standards would apply to the amendments to fees for Part 19.

Contact

Explosives Regulatory Division
Explosives, Regulatory and Business Services Branch
Natural Resources Canada
Telephone: 1‑855‑912‑0012
Email: explosives-explosifs@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca