Order in Council (O.C.) 1553-2024 issued on October 23, 2024 amends the regulations governing road vehicles used for school transportation, as per the Transport Act, the Environment Quality Act, and the Highway Safety Code. The amendment, proposed by the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility and the Minister of Environment, modifies existing standards to enhance vehicle safety, environmental impact mitigation, and adapts conditions for school bus operations, especially in areas with unique transportation requirements. According to section 5 of the Transport Act, the Québec government holds authority to regulate transportation systems, establishing criteria for vehicle construction, maintenance, and operation. Meanwhile, section 53 of the Environment Quality Act allows Québec to classify motor vehicles, regulate their sale and usage, and introduce rules aimed at reducing air pollutants, reflecting the government’s commitment to managing vehicle emissions. Further powers granted by section 95.1 of the Environment Quality Act empower the government to establish greenhouse gas reduction targets and enforce climate adaptation measures.

The regulatory amendments specifically address the conditions under which older and new school buses may be operated and exempt certain vehicles from the existing environmental standards in limited situations. A new section in the regulation, section 6.1, exempts certain school buses from compliance if they serve locations with independent electric power systems, listed in Schedule II, indicating a consideration for unique logistical and geographical circumstances. In addition, Chapter V introduces transitional provisions addressing exceptions for vehicles with certain model years, allowing older buses registered before October 2021 to remain in service temporarily. This exemption ensures flexibility in the fleet renewal process, particularly for rural or remote operators facing logistical challenges.

Moreover, new allowances for school minibuses are defined, permitting the replacement of minibuses older than 14 years or acquisition of new ones for routes exceeding 55 kilometers daily, as verified by the Minister of Transport. The amendment also stipulates conditions for replacing a minibus in cases of accidents or other total loss scenarios. In such cases, a replaced vehicle must cease transport of school children, ensuring that outdated or damaged vehicles are not returned to service. Transport operators must secure attestations from the Minister of Transport regarding the route specifics and replacement justification, with sales contracts for new vehicles due by September 30, 2025, to secure timely compliance.

Finally, Schedule II, which lists regions served by independent power systems and thus qualifies for exemptions under the amendment, has been updated to include multiple northern and remote communities across various Québec regions. This inclusion acknowledges the unique circumstances of these areas, enabling continued service without forcing immediate compliance to standards that may be challenging to meet in less accessible locales.

Quebec (OC 1553-2024) November 6, 2024