SPEAKING NOTES
FOR THE HONOURABLE MARC GARNEAU
MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
OPENING REMARKS
TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES
REGARDING 2020-2021 SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES “B”
November 5, 2020
642 words - 6 minutes
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Good afternoon, Thank you for this opportunity to speak to speak to you today
There is no doubt that the COVID‑19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the transportation system in Canada, as well as the work of Transport Canada. Many things changed, and we needed to adapt to the situation. However, other priorities and responsibilities still needed to be addressed.
The Supplementary Estimates B for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year include items that required adjustments for a variety of reasons.
For example, the COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented crisis in remote communities that rely on aviation. Air travel is the only safe and reliable way to reach a number of communities for much of the year. Air travel is a lifeline for them. It provides an important link to people and services.
While necessary restrictions on travel have kept many remote communities safe, they have also contributed to a ninety-percent decline in revenues for our smallest air carriers. Many of these carriers are owned and operated by the First Nation and Inuit communities they serve.
The Supplementary Estimates B include support for a new contribution program to support air carriers that provide service to remote communities. These communities must have access to essential air services, for food, medical supplies, and other necessary goods and services.
We must ensure that our communities can be connected by our vital transportation links.
Last year, Transport Canada announced plans for a new, permanent replacement for the MV Madeleine, the ferry that provides service between Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Québec, and Souris, Prince Edward Island. The current vessel is 39 years old, and is at the end of its service life. However, designing and building the replacement vessel will take several years.
The Supplementary Estimates B include funds for purchasing a temporary replacement vessel, to ensure that efficient ferry services will continue until the new vessel is ready. When that new vessel is ready, the temporary replacement would be put up for sale. This delivers value to taxpayers, in addition to ensuring service will continue in the short term.
The Speech from the Throne emphasized that, as we work through this global pandemic crisis, we must build back better, together. The Speech from the Throne also indicated that the Government of Canada is committed to making zero-emission vehicles more affordable and accessible.
Canadians’ quality of life, and Canada’s future growth, are deeply connected to the environment. We need to invest in a cleaner, more sustainable future, to protect the things Canadians rely on for their success – an affordable cost of living, good, well-paying jobs, and resilient communities.
The Supplementary Estimates B include additional resources for the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles program, to help meet Canada’s zero-emission vehicle sales targets.
While certain circumstances may have changed, and certain priorities have been magnified, our goals remain the same.
As the Speech from the Throne pointed out, the pandemics economic impact on Canadians has already been more significant than the 2008 financial crisis, and the consequences will not be short-lived.
We must take action now, for the sake of Canadians now, and for our future. This is not the time for austerity. We have an opportunity to take action – with smart, targeted investments, as we continue to do through the National Trade Corridors Fund, which also has dedicated funding in this year’s Supplementary Estimates B. This is a time for building stronger communities, and a more resilient economy. This is a time for building a healthy, sustainable future for Canadians.
Thank you and I am happy to take your questions.