Amendments to the Explosives Regulations, 2013
This regulatory initiative is part of the 2024-2026 Forward Regulatory Plan.
Enabling Acts
Description
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) proposes to bring forward a series of amendments to modernize the Explosives Regulations, 2013.
The first set of amendments stem from a recent Regulatory Review of the Explosives Regulations, 2013 and focus on enhancing the safety of Canada’s explosives sector and improving efficiency. Other than enhancing current safety provisions, amendments would focus on removing unnecessary administrative burden, clarifying intent, and reducing discrepancy with other government departments and modern industry practices where appropriate. Amendments were pre-published in Canada Gazette Part I in May 2023. The intent is to publish this final first set of amendments in the Canada Gazette Part II in spring 2024.
The second set of regulatory amendments also stem from the recent Regulatory Review and aim to enhance efficiencies through renewal of the current licensing and fee regime. It is expected that this set of amendments would be pre-published in the Canada Gazette Part I in fall 2024 and published in the Canada Gazette Part II in spring 2025.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
The Canadian explosives sector is made up of diverse stakeholders ranging from multinational resource companies to thousands of small shops who may sell fireworks, to individuals who may own firearms for sport shooting and hunting, to avalanche mitigation teams. Both sets of proposed amendments to the Explosives Regulations, 2013 are expected to be generally positive for Canadians including businesses. Industry has expressed their support for the proposed amendments, particularly the improvements to efficiency, including the reduction in administrative burden, as well as the focus on adhering to modern industry practices. As can be expected, industry have expressed concern about increases in fees resulting from the renewal of the current licensing and fee regime. However, this is balanced with the concept that those who benefit from licensing and other permissions pay their fair share.
It is expected that all proposed amendments to modernize the Explosives Regulations, 2013 would have a positive impact on individual Canadians. Enhancing the safety and security of the explosives sector, and thereby further reducing the risk of an unintended explosion or theft of an explosive by someone with nefarious intent, would benefit all Canadians, as well as sector employees. These proposed amendments are not expected to have a significant impact on international trade or investment, including Canadian import and export of explosives.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
The two sets of proposed amendments to the Explosives Regulations, 2013 aim to, where possible, reduce stakeholder cost and burden stemming from misalignment with modern industry practices and the regimes of other jurisdictions. In the development of these proposed amendments, NRCan conducted targeted comparative analysis of international partners’ regimes, as well as of Canadian provinces and territories, with the aim of identifying areas for further alignment where appropriate.
Consultations
NRCan has conducted multiple phases of consultation with explosives sector stakeholders as well as counterparts in other federal government departments and provincial and territorial governments, and law enforcement. Starting in 2021 with the launch of the Regulatory Review, NRCan reached out to stakeholders to help identify regulatory irritants. As amendments were developed, NRCan consulted with all stakeholders to seek feedback to both support development and to help identify the impact of each amendment.
The first set of proposed amendments was pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on May 27, 2023, followed by a 30-day comment period ending on June 26, 2023. Comments can be seen here: https://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2023/2023-05-27/html/reg3-eng.html. Following an analysis of comments received, NRCan conducted a further consultation from September 7 to 22, 2023 on proposed updates to the amendments. The intent is to publish the final first set of amendments in the Canada Gazette Part II in spring 2024.
Beginning in June 2023, NRCan began pre-consultations on the second set of proposed amendments to the Explosives Regulations, 2013. Following that consultation period, NRCan again consulted with stakeholders on proposed amendments to the fee regime from December 11, 2023 to January 30, 2024. Currently NRCan is finalizing additional consultations with targeted stakeholder groups to support the development of certain provisions in the second set of amendments.
Further Information
For further information, please contact NRCan’s Explosives Program at ERDmms@nrcan.gc.ca.
Departmental Contact
For further information, please contact NRCan’s Explosives Program at ERDmms@nrcan.gc.ca.
Date First included in Forward Regulatory Plan
The two sets of amendments were added to NRCan’s Forward Regulatory Plan in 2021-2022.
Consult NRCan’s acts and regulations web page for:
- a list of acts and regulations administered by NRCan
- further information on NRCan’s implementation of government-wide regulatory management initiatives
Consult the following for links to the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and supporting policies and guidance, and for information on government-wide regulatory initiatives implemented by departments and agencies across the Government of Canada:
To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit:
Page details
- Date modified: