Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Time: 6:45PM – 8:45PM
Location: Room B45, Senate of Canada Building
Subject: Impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors and the consequential impacts on their interdependencies
Appearing:
The Hon. Omar Alghabra, P.C, M.P, Minister of Transport (6:45 pm to 7:45 pm)
Witnesses:
Panel 1 (6:45 pm to 7:45 pm)
Transport Canada
- Craig Hutton, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy
- Nicholas Robinson, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security
Panel 2 (7:45 pm to 8:45 pm)
Westjet
- Andrew Gibbons, Vice President, External Affairs, WestJet
Air Canada
- David Rheault, Vice President, Government and Community Relations (by videoconference)
Opening Remarks: Minister to deliver remarks (5-7 mins)
About TRCM
The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications has the mandate to examine legislation and study issues related to transport and communications by land, air, water, and space, whether by radio, telephone, telegraph, wire, cable, microwave, wireless, television, satellite, broadcasting, postal communications or any other form, method or means of communications. It also deals with matters relating to tourist traffic, common carriers, shipping, and navigable waters.
The committee deals with significant legislation and studies issues important to Canadians. Over the last few years, it has considered bills touching on everything from telecommunications to the transportation of dangerous goods and concluded studies on emerging issues of great significance for Canada’s economy.
TC-related Committee activity within the last year
The first study initiated by TRCM during the 44th Parliament was on the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors and the consequential impacts on their interdependencies, and the committee has held a total of six meetings thus far. The committee also held two meetings as part of the pre-study of Part 10 of Bill S-6, An Act respecting regulatory modernization in May 2022.
The primary focus of the committee during the Fall-Winter session was on Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts.
Reason for inviting Transport Canada
Committee members unanimously adopted a motion – moved by Senator Pamela Wallin (Canadian Senators Group, Saskatchewan) – to invite the Minister of Transport, Transport Canada officials and airlines stakeholders to discuss recent issues related to public air travel, as part of the broader study on the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors.