Canada launches statutory review of Canada's transportation legislation a year ahead of schedule to address current and future challenges, including improving transportation of grain on the Prairies, examining how current laws affect competitiveness

Cindy Allen

OTTAWA , June 26, 2014 (press release) – Appoints eminent Canadians to start review by looking at grain by rail

The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, today launched a statutory review of Canada's transportation legislation a year ahead of schedule, fulfilling the government's promise made this spring to accelerate the review.

The review is being done a year earlier than required to address a range of changing conditions and challenges, including those related to the transportation of grain on the Prairies. It will also examine what improvements could be made in a number of areas, including: our strategic transportation gateways and corridors; Canada's transportation safety and environmental regimes; the role of technological innovation in improving transportation services and infrastructure; the safe movement of goods through communities; support for the northern transportation system; federally regulated passenger rail services; the vitality of our aviation sector and air connectivity; and governance and service delivery for key federal operations, assets, and agencies.

The review reaffirms our government's commitment to meeting the transportation challenges and opportunities of the next decade, in support of Canada's economic growth and prosperity. The review will look at the Canada Transportation Act (CTA) and other acts related to transportation in Canada, and will analyze how existing laws and regulations affect competitiveness. The review will also explore how government, industry and other stakeholders can address the key issues facing the transportation sector, including ensuring Canada's supply chains have the capacity, flexibility and resiliency to meet future demands. The Honourable David L. Emerson, P.C., will head the arm's-length review with the support of five advisors representing a broad range of transportation perspectives and industry experience from various regions of the country. The advisors are: Murad Al-Katib, David Cardin, Duncan Dee, Marie-Lucie Morin, and Marcella Szel.

Mr. Emerson will submit recommendations to the Minister of Transport by late next year.
Quick Facts

Canada's transportation system has more kilometres of roads per person than almost any other nation. It also includes: over 300 airports, 18 of which offer international service; 45,742 km of operating railroad tracks; and more than 240 marine ports and harbours, which provide access to three oceans and the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence Seaway System (2012 data).
Approximately 2.2 billion people used commercial transportation in Canada in 2012.
Canada's transportation system supported the export of approximately $471.4 billion in Canadian merchandise in 2013.

Quote

"This review comes at a critical time when we need, more than ever, a safe, efficient and clean transportation system to move goods and people, and help Canadian businesses seize new opportunities and continue to compete internationally. We need to create the right conditions for a system that has the capacity and flexibility to respond to global and domestic demands. Given Mr. Emerson's extensive private sector and government experience, I am confident we will receive solid recommendations to help us plan for the future."
The Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport

Related Products / Associated Links

Video – Minister Raitt launches CTA review
CTA Review Mandate
Chair Biography
Advisors Biographies

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Contacts

Jana Régimbal
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

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