4. Key Messages - Mandate Letter of the Minister of Transport

Key messages for the Minister of Transport’s appearance before the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN)

Mandate letter

 

Require that travellers on interprovincial trains, commercial flights, cruise ships and other federally regulated vessels be vaccinated

• Government committed to keeping our transportation sector, including employees and travelers, safe and secure. Vaccines are one of our best tools to finish the fight against the pandemic. 
• Taken action to require travellers within and departing Canada by train, plane, or cruise ship to be vaccinated, which will help keep transportation system safe for all travellers.

Ensure that covid-19 vaccination is prioritized for workers in federally regulated transportation sector

• The October vaccine mandate has been critical in our fight against the pandemic by reducing the frequency and severity of COVID-19 illness.
• Will continue to work closely with industry to support the implementation of employer vaccination policies to reduce the further spread of COVID-19 in Canada.

Launch a procurement process and move forward with the high frequency rail project in the Toronto to Quebec city corridor using electrified technology

• Earlier today (pending timing of planned announcement on February 17), the Government launched the Request for Expressions of Interest for the High Frequency Rail project.
• World-class experts who have delivered complex infrastructure projects across the world will be engaged.
• First step forward in procurement process for High Frequency Rail.
• Will inform upcoming phases, such as the Request for Qualifications and the Request for Proposals.

Advance the restart of a competitive and viable air sector

• Work to support the recovery of the air transport sector ongoing since March 2020, including the implementation of the economic support measures for the air sector.
• Over $11 billion made available to support Canada’s air sector through COVID-19. This included $1.1 billion announced through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement in the form of funding for infrastructure, direct support and rent relief for airports, and support for regional air services. Also included earlier measures, including previous rent relief and over $191 million to support air carrier services to remote and northern communities.
• Government provided financing for air carriers that included provisions to ensure refunds for Canadians and the restoration of regional routes. Implementation of these measures is almost complete.
• The emergence of the Omicron variant has reversed the recovery and Department has been engaging with air sector stakeholders to assess the extent of their challenges in responding to the latest restrictions.

Strengthen air passenger rights

• In December 2019, The Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) established airlines’ minimum obligations toward passengers, as well as financial compensation under certain circumstances depending on whether the situation falls within or outside the air carrier’s control.
• COVID-19 highlighted a gap in Canada's air passenger protection regime – namely that air carriers are not obligated to provide refunds for cancellations that are not within their control.
• To address this gap, a Ministerial Direction was issued to the Canadian Transportation Agency giving it the authority to develop new regulations for situations outside of a carrier’s control resulting in the passenger not being able to complete their itinerary within a reasonable timeframe. 
• Proposed amendments aim to protect travellers experiencing flight disruptions and are intended to provide clarity around timing, cost coverage, method of payment, and deadlines associated with the requirements to refund travellers for flight cancellations and lengthy delays outside of the carrier’s control.
• Department  working closely with the Agency and expect these new regulatory amendments to come into force in the coming months.
• Government  committed to actively assessing the functioning of Canada’s passenger rights regime to ensure that it continues to be world-leading and is appropriately meeting passengers’ needs.

Accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, including right touch travel, to rebuild public confidence and future prospects of the air sector

• Need to establish faster, seamless, and paperless services for the aviation industry and travellers.
• As passenger volumes return, especially important to meet the changing expectations of travellers and to provide industry with the tools to process them efficiently.
• Looking to modernize the air travel journey to adapt to a digital environment. Moving away from our current high-touch and manual paper-based processes to digital and right touch—touchless—processes. Done by investing in technology that is compatible with the aviation eco-system to facilitate travel while strengthening security.

Improve the affordability and accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, including used vehicles, by Canadian households and businesses

• Canada has set a mandatory zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales requirement of 100% of new light-duty vehicle (LDV) sales by 2035. Also stated in mandate letters that at least 50 percent of all new LDV sales must be ZEVs in 2030, and committed to working with partners on developing an interim 2025 target.
• Government has allocated over $660 million since 2019 towards Transport Canada’s Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program. The iZEV program provides an incentive of up to $5,000 on eligible ZEVs. Between May 2019 and January 2022, over 130,000 Canadians and Canadian businesses have benefited from the incentive.
• Transport Canada officials will continue to assess the need for additional measures with respect to both the supply and demand of ZEVs. Transport Canada is exploring options to extend and expand the iZEV Program in line with consumer preferences to ensure that Canada is on track to meet its ZEV sales targets.

Develop a strategy to decarbonize emission-intensive on-road freight

• A significant transformation of the on-road freight sector is needed to realize our 2030 target and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, as emissions from medium and heavy-duty vehicles are significant and still growing.
• Government has committed to develop a strategy to accelerate the development and adoption of zero-emission vehicles for both passenger and freight applications, and other complementary measures to achieve significant emission reductions from on-road transportation. 
• Will bring together the expertise of a number of federal departments and be informed through stakeholder consultations. 

Support global efforts to reduce emissions in the air and marine sectors

• International collaboration is critical to reducing emissions from transportation, particularly in the air and marine sectors.
• Department working with partners at the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization to increase ambition and achieve emission reduction goals.
• Department will leverage initiatives such as the Clydebank Declaration to collaborate with willing partners to focus early efforts to reduce emissions from marine shipping.
• Working to support the advancement of the initial GHG IMO Strategy, and we are now collectively embarking on the negotiations for mid- and long- term measures with the goal of decarbonizing the sector as soon as possible this century, as well as revising the initial strategy to increase ambition and get the marine sector on the right path.
• Building on the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and ICAO’s basket of measures to address climate change, Department also continues to work with partners at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to set a Long-Term Aspirational Goal for aviation, to realize our Paris commitment and put us on a course toward net zero.
• Domestically, working with Canada’s aviation sector to develop a new action plan aligned with these goals.

Advance Canada’s ongoing response to the tragic downing of Flight PS752

• As part of the Government’s ongoing response to the tragic downing of flight PS752, Department is working with other departments to implement Special Advisor Goodale’s recommendations.
• Department actively working to prevent future tragedies by advancing the Safer Skies Initiative, intended to make commercial international aviation safer by implementing practical measures to reduce the risks posed by conflict zones.
• Department continuing its work with Global Affairs Canada in seeking accountability from Iran for the PS752 tragedy and justice for the victims’ families.

Advance the Safer Skies Initiative

• Through the Safer Skies Initiative, Department established a fully operational Conflict Zone Information Office, which has 24/7 capacity to monitor conflict zones and provide guidance to Canadian Air Operators to ensure that risks posed by conflict zones are considered in risk assessments and flight planning decisions.
• The Conflict Zone Information Office has issued several airspace notifications, advising air carriers on the risks of overflying specific conflict zones since January 2020.
• Department also actively participating in international fora, such as the Safer Skies Consultative Committee, which is engaging in more open dialogue related to conflict zone risk mitigation and optimizing information-sharing between members.
• The Committee has an ambitious work plan and has been meeting regularly to advance its deliverables.
• Transport Canada, in collaboration with the Committee, will be virtually hosting the second Safer Skies Forum on March 29-30, 2022, the only global event solely focused on conflict zone risk mitigation.

Pursue reforms to the international civil aviation organization’s accident investigation regime

• Department  engaging with international partners to support the expert-led process aimed at improving the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) aircraft accident investigation standards and practices (Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention), to enhance the transparency and credibility of safety investigations, including in conflict-of-interest situations. 

In partnership with indigenous peoples, continue to implement commitments made under the ocean protection plan, and with the support of the minister of fisheries, oceans, and the Canadian coast guard, work to launch the next phase of the oceans protection plan to continue efforts to deliver world-leading marine safety systems, increase protection for marine species and ecosystems and create stronger partnerships with indigenous and other coastal communities while strengthening marine research and science

• Five years ago, our Government made a historic investment to demonstrate that marine shipping, ocean protection, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, can all be achieved.
• Today, thanks to the Oceans Protection Plan:
  • marine shipping has never been safer;
  • our oceans are healthier; and,
  • relationships between our Government and First Nations and Inuit Peoples have been transformed for the better.
• The success of the Oceans Protection Plan – especially in maintaining public confidence in the marine supply chain’s safety - is only as good as its ability to continue to keep pace with a rapidly evolving marine system.
• Oceans Protection Plan about to sunset, but there is momentum around marine shipping and ocean protection that presents a tremendous opportunity to do more.
• Together with Minister Murray, and also working closely with Minister Guibeault, Department working to launch the next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan, to continue efforts to deliver world-leading marine safety systems, increase protection for marine species and ecosystems and create stronger partnerships with Indigenous and other coastal communities while strengthening marine research and science.

Advance measures that further improve the safety and security of Canada’s rail system, particularly in light of the impacts of climate change and severe weather on railway operations

• Announced on August 13, 2021 that Government is providing over $100 million over five years to improve the safety of Canada’s rail system, especially in light of the impacts of climate change and severe weather on railway operations.
• Aligned with this commitment, in December 2021, announced a new rail safety grant program (with up to $300,000 in available funding), to support engagement with local communities and Indigenous groups.
• In February 2021, published a Notice of Intent on Enhanced Train Control, which refers to automated technologies that will help prevent train collisions. Notice was published in the Canada Gazette, launching a consultation period to guide the roll-out of this important technology.
• Immediate priority is to establish requirements for railways to develop extreme weather plans, which will help ensure safe railway operations during Canadian winters and periods of extreme heat.

Work with provinces, territories, and willing municipalities on solutions to allow them a greater role in managing and regulating boating on their lakes and rivers

• Department leading a modernization initiative of the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations. Stakeholder concerns expressed around the length of time for introducing restrictions into the Regulations and is working to improve the process.
• First phase completed in 2019, and included improvements to the Local Authorities’ Guide. The second phase currently underway and proposes regulatory improvements and possible legislative amendments to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. These amendments should reduce the length of time for restriction requests to be incorporated into the Regulations.
• Department now looking at a third phase to the Modernization Initiative that considers options to provide provinces, territories, municipalities with a greater role in managing their waterways. Consultations with key stakeholders will take place.

Complete the ports modernization review

• Ports Modernization Review is well underway. Department conducted detailed research and analysis to improve the efficiency of Canada Port Authorities as key gateways in the supply chain as well as to support economic growth and is incorporating emerging impacts to the Canadian economy and supply chain, such as the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Government’s intention to complete the Ports Modernization Review with an aim to modernize the governance of Canada Port Authorities to ensure they can handle trade growth, better plan for the future, and have the capacity to respond to current and future challenges and opportunities.

Work toward the rapid completion of the Lac-Mégantic bypass

• Significant progress has been made since the project announcement in 2018.
• In May 2021, Department signed a $27 million contribution agreement with CP allowing pre-construction activities to be initiated such as developing the engineering plans.
  • Numerous geotechnical and hydrology studies were completed.
  • In collaboration with First Nations, archeological work is well advanced.
  • Acquisition of the long lead items undertaken to minimize impact of supply chain disruptions.
• Department currently negotiating a contribution agreement that will enable funding of the construction phase scheduled to begin in Spring of 2022, once approval is obtained from the Canadian Transportation Agency.
• All landowners have received offers and negotiations are underway.
• CP has applied to the Agency. As part of this application, Department completed a two-week public consultation process, including two virtual engagement sessions.
• Department will continue to provide strong federal leadership until the bypass commissioning by leading ongoing engagement and outreach activities with MTQ, Municipal authorizes and residents of Lac-Mégantic, Nantes and Frontenac.
  • Weekly presence at the Service Canada Centre in Lac-Mégantic to meet with landowners to address questions or concerns
  • Monthly meetings are held with the mayors
  • Two coordination committees will be established

Complete negotiations to repatriate and rehabilitate the Quebec bridge

• Restoring the Quebec Bridge has strategic, economic and heritage importance of.
• Mandate objective: complete negotiations to repatriate and rehabilitate the Quebec Bridge.
• The negotiator, Mr. Yvon Charest, has re-engaged with the Canadian National Railway (CN) and the Government of Quebec. Objective is to reach a fair agreement with financial contributions from each party, to allow the Government of Canada to implement a restoration program that aims at ensuring the long-term viability of the Quebec Bridge.

Reduce and prevent supply chain bottlenecks in Canada’s transportation networks through the national trade corridors fund and legislative and regulatory authorities

• Ensuring that Canada’s supply chains are strong and resilient is a top priority for the Government.
• Transportation supply chains have been significantly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic and recent extreme weather events.  Disruptions impact the daily lives of Canadians and the ability of our economy to grow.
• Government has been collaborating with industry to identify ways to mitigate supply chain pressures, and encouraging partners to come up with innovative solutions.
• Building on the National Summit there will be a series of regional and industry roundtables to continue these important conversations.
• Will be creating a Supply Chain Task Force to consult with industry experts and make recommendations regarding short and long-term actions.
• Government making important strategic investments through the National Trade Corridors Fund to alleviate congestion and bottlenecks in supply chains while building back better for lasting solutions.
• Made substantial investments to improve Canada’s supply chains and transportation infrastructure,  more than $2 billion in funding announced for over 100 projects across Canada through the National Trade Corridors Fund, leveraging over $4 billion in total investments from partners. 
• Currently have two Calls for Proposals under the National Trade Corridors Fund that seek to increase supply chain fluidity and relieve supply chain congestion at ports. Will continue to invest in projects that reduce bottlenecks and capacity constraints to help strengthen our supply chains while building smarter and more resilient against our changing climate.