Ottawa launches two rail safety funding calls for crossings and corridors

Transport Canada has opened two calls for proposals under its Rail Safety Improvement Program, seeking applications from municipalities, road authorities, Indigenous groups and other organizations for projects to reduce injuries and fatalities at railway crossings and along rail corridors.

Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Steven MacKinnon announced the intakes, opening the Education and Awareness stream and the Infrastructure, Technology and Research stream. Transport Canada said the funding is meant to help "protect communities and prevent injuries and fatalities."

"The Rail Safety Improvement Program helps communities across Canada address safety concerns and raise awareness about the potential dangers at railway crossings and other high-risk areas along railway tracks,” he said. “Through investments in infrastructure, innovation, research and education, the Government of Canada is helping reduce risks, strengthen our transportation network, and keep Canadians safe.”

The Education and Awareness stream will accept applications until Aug. 21, 2026. The Infrastructure, Technology and Research stream will accept applications until Sept. 4, 2026.

According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), rail transportation-related fatalities in Canada rose to 71 in 2025, up from 69 in 2024 and above the 10-year average of 64.

Trespassing remained the leading cause of these deaths, accounting for 53 fatalities in 2025, down slightly from 56 in 2024 but still well above the 10-year average of 44. 

Crossing accidents caused 16 fatalities in 2025, an increase from 12 in 2024, though this figure remained below the 10-year average of 17. 

Overall rail accidents on federally regulated railways totalled 831 in 2025, a 7 per cent decrease from 2024 and 17 per cent below the 10-year average of 1,007. 

TSB has not yet published a detailed, broken-out figure for railway employee fatalities or serious injuries specific to 2025; the most recent confirmed employee data, from 2024, show six railway employees seriously injured, up from three in 2023 but below the 10-year average of 11. 

Funding streams

The Education and Awareness stream funds public outreach and education activities addressing hazards at railway grade crossings and trespassing on railway property. Transport Canada said the priority for this intake is trespassing prevention, with proposals expected to target known trespassing locations, at-risk population groups and common contributing factors.

The Infrastructure, Technology and Research stream funds projects to enhance safety at rail crossings and along rail lines where risk is highest. Transport Canada said eligible proposals under this stream can include closing crossings, making infrastructure improvements, deploying new technology and conducting research.

Both streams operate under the Rail Safety Improvement Program, which Transport Canada said funds infrastructure enhancements, technologies, research initiatives, climate resilience measures and public education activities across the country.

Program eligibility and track record

Transport Canada said the program provides financial support to a wide range of applicants, including provinces, territories, municipalities and local governments, road and transit authorities, Crown corporations, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, academic institutions, Indigenous groups and communities, and individual or private landowners.

Since the program's inception in 2016, Transport Canada said it has supported more than 1,200 projects across Canada, representing a total investment of more than $230 million.

The department said investing in rail safety today helps prevent incidents tomorrow, and that the investments are intended to reduce risk, protect communities and support a safer and more reliable rail transportation network for Canadians.

Data from TSB: