You've built your SMS, completed Form 85-0547A and Form 85-0547B, and sent your package to Transport Canada. Now what?

A lot of operators submit their application and then wait in silence, not knowing whether no news is good news or whether their package is sitting in a pile somewhere. Here's what TC actually does with your submission and what you can expect at each stage.

The 45-Day Rule

Transport Canada has up to 45 business days from receipt of a complete application to issue your Canadian Maritime Document. That's roughly nine calendar weeks - just over two months - assuming your submission is complete and doesn't require any back-and-forth.

Two things to understand about that number:

  1. It's 45 business days, not calendar days. Weekends and statutory holidays don't count. Factor this in when you're planning your timeline.
  2. The clock starts on receipt of a complete package. If TC receives your package and something is missing or incorrect, they'll contact you to request the outstanding information. The 45-day clock doesn't start - or restarts - from when the complete package is in their hands.

For Class 4B operators already past the July 2025 grace period: Every day your application is incomplete or contains errors is another day you're operating non-compliantly. Get it right the first time.

What TC Does During the Review

Receipt and Initial Completeness Check
TC receives your package and does an initial check to confirm it contains all required documents. If anything is obviously missing - unsigned forms, no Certificate of Registry, no SMS package - they'll contact you quickly. This happens within the first week or two of submission.
Assignment to a Marine Safety Officer
Your application is assigned to a TC Marine Safety Officer for review. This officer will review your SMS against the requirements in TP 15566 Part 3 and the MSMSR. The officer may have questions or require clarification on specific elements of your SMS.
SMS Review Against TP 15566
The officer goes through your SMS element by element, checking that every required component from TP 15566 Part 3 is present and appropriate for your operation. They're looking for vessel-specific content, complete emergency procedures, proper identification of the Ship Manager and AR, and evidence that the SMS is implementable.
Clarification or Revision Requests (If Needed)
If TC has questions or identifies deficiencies, they'll contact the Authorized Representative. This may be a simple clarification by email or a request for revised documentation. Respond promptly - delays in responding extend your timeline. If significant revisions are required, the review clock may reset.
CMD Issuance
Once TC is satisfied that your SMS meets the requirements, they issue your Canadian Document of Compliance (CDOC) and Canadian Safety Management Certificate (CSMC). These are your proof of certification. Keep them aboard your vessel - TC inspectors may ask to see them.

What TC Is Actually Looking For in Your SMS

TC reviewers see hundreds of SMS submissions. The ones that sail through review share certain characteristics:

Common Reasons Applications Are Returned

Based on the pattern of what TC flags, these are the most common problems:

After You Get Your CMD

Receiving your Canadian Maritime Document is not the end of the process - it's the beginning of the ongoing compliance obligation.

TC can inspect at any time. Keep your SMS current, keep your records organized, and make sure your crew can speak to the procedures. A TC inspector may ask crew members directly about emergency procedures - if your crew don't know where to find the life raft, that's a problem regardless of what the SMS document says.

Want to make sure your application goes through the first time?

AMSG prepares TC-ready application packages and follows up through to CMD issuance. We know what TC looks for because we've been through the process with operators across Ontario.

Start Free Assessment Call 416-938-6671