Railway, wildflowers and mountains.
Railway, wildflowers and mountains.
Railway, wildflowers and mountains.

RAIL

McMillan’s rail transportation group has been described by Chambers Canada as “likely the most experienced and knowledgeable in the country.” Our specialized, expert counsel is frequently sought out by other law firms, shippers, shortline railways, rail equipment manufacturers and lessors, governments and carriers in Canada and the United States.

Businesses that ship by rail face unique challenges in an environment that often lacks competitive alternatives and requires significant commercial, economic and legal support to succeed. Those same businesses may engage with railways in ways that require a broad range of advice and leadership.

We are known for our advice, advocacy, and conduct of a wide variety of rail-related mandates:

  • competitive and strategic analysis in support and conduct of rate and service negotiations;
  • advocacy in contested regulatory and court proceedings, including final offer and service level arbitrations, level of service disputes, and regulated interswitching;
  • public policy advocacy and government relations;
  • transfers or discontinuance of railway lines and other regulated transactions and disputes;
  • structure, development, financing and construction of infrastructure projects;
  • shipping and handling agreements at inland and seaborne terminal facilities;
  • rail and terminal mergers and acquisitions;
  • supply chain logistics and procurement;
  • finance, acquisition and leasing of rail rolling stock.

DOCUMENTS

McMillan Rail Shippers’ Guide.
This guide provides a high-level overview of shippers’ rights and remedies when shipping freight by rail under the Canada Transportation Act and related regulations.

Rail Policy Work
Find a list of public submissions we have authored or which our clients have submitted in connection with rail regulatory and economic policy.

Primary Contacts

View All Contacts

Ryan Gallagher

Partner, Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment | Transportation

François Tougas

Partner, Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment

News

Insights (10 Posts)View More

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Towards a Shared Understanding: Canada’s New Sustainable Investment Guidelines & Mandated Climate Disclosures

Canada’s New Sustainable Investment Guidelines (Taxonomy) & Mandated Climate Disclosures

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Featured Insight

What Canadian Businesses Need to Know About the New Tariffs on Chinese Steel, Aluminum and Electric Vehicles (or: Why Your Next EV May Come with a Side of Surtax)

On August 26, 2024, the Government of Canada announced trade measures targeting Chinese imports such as electric vehicles and steel & aluminum.

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Aug 28, 2024
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Sanctions Enforcement Rising: Border Seizures and Forfeitures, Administrative Penalties and a New Reporting Obligation for Sanctions Evasion Offences

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Lessons Learned from the TTC’s Ransomware Attack

Lessons learned from the recent investigation by the Ontario IPC into the effectiveness of the TTC's cybersecurity measures and ransomware attack response

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Apr 23, 2024
Featured Insight

Warning For Businesses: Companies Can be Liable for Tort of Bribery Even if They Did Not Intend to Pay or Receive a Bribe

Businesses with a duty to provide impartial advice must take steps to ensure the payments they make or receive are not later interpreted as bribes.

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Apr 12, 2024
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Lexology Panoramic’s Rail Transport Guide 2024

The 2024 edition of Lexology Panoramic’s Rail Transport stands as the foremost and extensive repository of information on global railroad laws.

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Feb 1, 2024
Featured Insight

Rail Policy Work

McMillan’s Rail Transportation Group regularly makes submissions to both Houses of Parliament, Transport Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency and other bodies in connection with rail regulatory and economic policy on its own behalf and on behalf of clients.

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Jan 31, 2024
Featured Insight

Bill C-13: The Federal Government’s Answer to Bill 96, Notably Imposes New Obligations to Use French in Workplaces for Federal Employers

Bill C-13 - French language requirements for federally regulated businesses in Canada

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May 24, 2023