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

54. FUNDING TO UNDERTAKE A CLIMATE RISK ASSESSMENT THROUGH THE TRANSPORTATION ASSETS RISK ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

From TC to various organizations to provide operational funding to undertake a climate risk assessment through the Transportation Assets Risk Assessment Program

Transferring $428,296 in the 2020-2021 Supplementary Estimates B

The Transportation Assets Risk Assessment (TARA) program is seeking to transfer $428,296 to three different organizations for 2020-21.

Key Messages:

  • Funding is provided through the Operating Vote of Transport Canada’s Transportation Assets Risk Assessment (TARA) initiative. This initiative is sourced to Budget 2017 and the Pan-Canadian Framework.
  • The objective of the TARA initiative is to better understand the climate risks to federal transportation assets and potential adaptation solutions that could be employed.
  • The transferred funding of $240,083 for 2020-2021 allows the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited to undertake climate risk assessments of their four international bridges.
  • The transferred funding of $80,000 for 2020-2021 allows Fisheries and Oceans Canada to assess climate risks to the Canso Canal in Port Hastings, Nova Scotia.
  • The transferred funding of $108,213 for 2020-2021 allows Parks Canada to continue to assess climate risks to the Gulf Shore Parkway in Prince Edward Island National Park.
  • This investment will support decisions that could improve the climate resilience of federal transportation assets, enhancing the reliability, efficiency and safety of Canada’s transportation system.

If pressed:

  • Transport Canada is the lead department for this initiative but there are a number of federal transportation assets owned by other departments.
  • As such, the transfer of funding through the Supplementary Estimates Process is a normal business practice for this initiative.

Background

Funding is transferred directly to TC’s Operating Vote on an annual basis to fund the assessment of climate risk for federally-owned transportation assets. Funding for eligible projects led by other government departments and agencies is transferred through the Supplementary Estimates Process.