Minister Garneau’s appearance before the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) on Main Estimates 2020-21 and Supplementary Estimates (B), 2020-21 held on November 5, 2020

44. NORTHERN TRANSPORTATION ADAPTATION INITIATIVE PROGRAM

FUNDING FOR THE NORTHERN TRANSPORTATION ADAPTATION INITIATIVE PROGRAM

Requesting to reprofile $806,772 for the 2020-2021 Supplementary Estimates B

The Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative (NTAI) Program is seeking to reprofile the 2019-20 FY surplus of $806,772 in grant and contribution funding to the fiscal year 2020-21.

Key Messages:

  • The $806,772 in planned spending comes from the $3,735,000 in grant and contribution funding provided to Transport Canada in Budget 2017 to extend the Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative Program through to 2020-21.
  • The Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative supports the research and development of innovative technologies, and efforts to advance knowledge and increase the capacity of Northerners to adapt transportation infrastructure to the climate changes.
  • The funds will support projects aimed at assessing climate change-related vulnerabilities in northern airports as well as testing, deploying, and installing technologies on highways in the Canadian north.
  • Since 2011, the Program has supported many projects, helping provinces and territories across northern Canada to better understand the effects of climate change on their transportation infrastructure and operations as well as to increase their capacity to adapt this infrastructure to these effects.

Background

The Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative (NTAI) supports efforts outlined in the Pan-Canadian Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change related to taking action to support adaptation in vulnerable regions, such as the North and coastal regions. It supports projects that aim to:

  • increase awareness and understanding of climate risks and vulnerabilities to northern transportation assets;
  • support research, develop and test innovative technologies; and
  • strengthen the resilience of existing and future transportation infrastructure to climate change.