SPEAKING NOTES
FOR
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT,
THE HONOURABLE OMAR ALGHABRA
TO
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES
REGARDING
THE 2022-23 MAIN ESTIMATES
FOR TRANSPORT CANADA AND OTHER AGENCIES AND CROWN CORPORATIONS
AND
WAYS TO REDUCE AIRPORT COSTS
OTTAWA, ONTARIO
MAY 30, 2022
732 Words
Check Against Delivery
Good morning / afternoon. Bonjour.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It’s my pleasure to join you and the honourable members to present Transport Canada’s Main Estimates for this fiscal year.
I welcome this opportunity to highlight some of Transport Canada’s excellent work on behalf of Canadians.
I would like to begin by acknowledging that we’re gathered today on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Peoples.
I’m pleased to be joined today by representatives from Transport Canada:
- Michael Keenan; Deputy Minister of Transport and
- Ryan Pilgrim, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services, and Chief Financial Officer,
- Stephanie Hebert, Assistant Deputy Minister, Programs,
- Kevin Brosseau, Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety & Security
- Craig Hutton, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy
Transport Canada’s mandate is to ensure that our transportation system is safe and secure, efficient, green, and innovative.
In support of these goals, the department’s planned expenditures in the Main Estimates for fiscal year 2022 to 2023 cover a range of important measures.
They fall under four categories essential to maintaining a safe and secure transportation system while keeping people and goods moving, including:
- 1.8 billion dollars under Efficient Transportation
- 419 million dollars under Safe and Secure Transportation
- 358 million dollars under Green and Innovative Transportation System, and
- 196 million dollars for Internal Services.
Mr. Chair, the events of the past two years have reinforced the critical role that well-functioning supply chains play in supporting good jobs and keeping goods moving.
It’s clear that the quality of our transportation infrastructure and the efficiency of our trade corridors are crucial to our economic and social well being.
And the Government of Canada is working hard to create supply chain solutions.
Which is why Transport Canada is requesting 1.1 billion dollars for the National Trade Corridors Fund.
The Fund supports more efficient and resilient supply chains through targeted projects that ease bottlenecks and congestion in Canada’s transportation system.
The global COVID-19 pandemic has also hit Canada’s world-leading network of airports hard. This first took its toll in terms of major financial losses as traffic dropped to next to nothing, and now we are experiencing congestion and unacceptable wait-times both inbound and outbound at our larger airports as higher traffic volumes have returned.
That’s why these estimates include 270 million dollars for the Airport Critical Infrastructure Program.
The Program helps Canada’s larger airports recover economically by making critical investments in safety, security, and connectivity to mass transit.
As we work to ensure a cleaner transportation system, we’re seeking 93 million dollars for the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program.
The Program aims to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by increasing the adoption of ZEV vehicles through purchase incentives.
In addition, we’re requesting 79 million dollars for the Program to Protect Canada’s Coastlines and Waterways.
These funds would help strengthen the safety of Canada’s marine transportation system and protect its coasts and waterways from hazards and pollution with increased local participation.
I would also like to highlight some amounts for federal agencies and Crown Corporations within my portfolio.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is seeking 567 million dollars to deliver security screening of air travellers and their baggage.
Marine Atlantic Inc. is seeking just under 41 million dollars to support its year-round constitutionally mandated ferry and seasonal ferry service.
Finally, these Estimates include 981 million dollars for VIA Rail to sustain operations and maintain the asset base of Canada’s national passenger rail transportation.
Mr. Chair, turning to the question of reducing travel costs and making Canada’s airports more efficient, I would like to note that several of the funding requests I’ve mentioned advance these objectives.
The Airport Critical Infrastructure Program was created to address the loss of revenue Canada’s larger airports faced due to the pandemic.
It allows these airports to make needed improvements without raising fees for travellers.
Likewise, the Airport Capital Assistance Program was expanded last year to help smaller airports across Canada invest in safety.
In addition, the requested funding for CATSA will aid in safely processing the increasing volumes of baggage and passengers.
As we focus on the future, the transportation sector will be vital to Canada’s economic recovery.
I am confident that the investments outlined in these Main Estimates will help advance a transportation system that is safer, cleaner, and more competitive.
Mr. Chair, that concludes my opening remarks.
I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you. Merci.