The TSB and Other Organizations

The TSB’s mandate is distinct from those of other organizations such as Transport Canada (TC), the National Energy Board (NEB), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG), and the Department of National Defense (DND), all of whom play a role in the transportation field. As an independent federal agency, the TSB is not associated with any of these organizations, although we do work in cooperation with them when conducting investigations and making safety recommendations.

Transport Canada is concerned with developing and administering policies, regulations and services for transportation systems in Canada with respect to federally regulated marine, rail and aviation transportation modes. The National Energy Board is responsible for regulating pipelines under federal jurisdiction. This differs from the TSB’s mandate of advancing transportation safety in the marine, pipeline, rail and air modes of transportation through the conduct of independent investigations, the identification of safety deficiencies, and the making of recommendations to eliminate or reduce such deficiencies.

When the TSB investigates an accident, no other federal department (except the Department of National Defense and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) may investigate for the purpose of making findings as to the causes and contributing factors of the accident. Transport Canada and the National Energy Board may investigate for any other purpose, such as regulatory infractions.