Explosives Regulations Amended

Summary#

These are the final Regulations Amending the Explosives Regulations, 2013 (SOR/2026‑206). They update who can make, store, move and sell many kinds of explosives, add new safety and security rules, and change fees. The regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on October 21, 2026; some parts take effect later (see below).

What it does#

• Creates a new road carrier permit (a “transport permit”) for moving high‑hazard explosives. The permit is valid for three years and the fee is $22 per vehicle, with a minimum $224 and maximum $841 per permit.
• Requires carriers that hold a transport permit to keep driver training and vehicle lists up to date, and to certify that drivers are trained. Driver training certificates expire after five years.
• Requires shippers to check that a carrier has a valid transport permit (or is exempt) before handing over high‑hazard explosives. Shippers must keep records of carrier hires for two years.
• Introduces a registration system for retailers of propellant powder (so retailers must be enrolled with Natural Resources Canada) and requires distributors to record sales to registered retailers.
• Adds a new category for very powerful hobby rocket motors (an “advanced high‑power rocket motor” type) and updates storage and sale rules for rocket motors and reloading kits. It keeps the current licence‑exempt import limit for model rocket motors at 6 units.
• Clarifies and tightens many factory, magazine and magazine‑site rules: site plans must show “vulnerable places,” magazines must be attended when unlocked, stacking limits for packages, fire safety plans and notifications to local fire departments (available on request), and decommissioning plans where residue exists.
• Expands or clarifies which small activities are allowed without full authorization (for example, limited experiments at schools or government labs) and codifies shared magazine and drop‑ship storage arrangements.
• Standardizes rules about reusing packaging and when packaging may not be reused unless certain safety conditions are met.
• Adds, removes or adjusts many fees across authorizations, licences, permits and certificates (new export and in‑transit permit fees, new transport permit fee, new shared magazine and drop‑ship fees, changes to factory and magazine fees, etc.). The regulatory impact analysis projects a net present benefit of $388,631 over 10 years.
• Staggers the coming‑into‑force dates so most rules start on publication, while specific parts come into force later (see “Who’s affected” and “Why it matters”).

Who's affected#

• Carriers and drivers who transport explosives on public roads — especially those moving high‑hazard explosives (types I, E and D).
• Manufacturers and licence holders who run factories, satellite sites, mobile process units or who make blasting or industrial explosives.
• Magazine owners, vendors and anyone who stores explosives, including shared‑magazine arrangements and drop‑ship sellers.
• Retailers and distributors of propellant powder and sellers of rocket motors, fireworks, and special‑effect pyrotechnics. Retailers who sell propellant powder must be registered.
• The fireworks and pyrotechnics sector, including people who hold or use fireworks operator certificates. The rule removes the separate “display assistant” certificate requirement.
• Hobby rocketeers and retailers of rocket motors (new storage limits and a new category for advanced motors affect sellers and some users).
• Small businesses in the explosives supply chain: the government estimates about 3,323 small businesses are affected and calculates average annual net costs of about $74 per small business.
• Law enforcement agencies are named in the rules and have some specific exemptions (for example, certain storage and transport fees may not apply).
• If it is unclear whether a particular activity or quantity is covered, licence holders or businesses should confirm with the Chief Inspector of Explosives at Natural Resources Canada.

Why it matters#

• Safety and security: the transport permit, clearer distance and site rules, and tighter magazine monitoring aim to reduce the chances of theft, accidental ignition, fire or blast damage. That affects nearby communities, workplaces and transport routes.
• More regulatory checks for carriers and sellers: businesses that move or sell higher‑risk explosives will face new paperwork, training or fees. That can change costs and who will accept certain loads.
• Modernizes rules to match current practice: many changes simply put existing guidance into law (for example, shared magazines, mobile process unit practices, and packaging rules). That makes expectations clearer for businesses and inspectors.
• Fees and timing: fees are updated and new fees introduced. Most rules start on publication (October 21, 2026), but several specific sections come into force on April 1, 2027 and some items come into force on the second anniversary of publication (October 21, 2028). Businesses should check which specific clauses apply to them and when.
• Small impact but real changes for small businesses: the government estimates a modest overall net benefit at the program level, but some small businesses will see modest annual cost increases (the analysis estimates about $244,936 in new small‑business costs per year in total, or $74 per small business per year).