TC’s ROLE ON MANAGEMENT OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TRAN
LOCATION: OTTAWA, ONTARIO
Issue/Source: TRAN appearance on the implications of the Russo-Ukrainian war on Canada's transportation sector
Date: MARCH 11, 2022
key messages
- Transport Canada (TC) works closely with Public Safety (PS), who is the lead federal department responsible for enhancing the resilience of Canada’s Critical Infrastructure (CI) against current and emerging hazards through its National Strategy (The Strategy) and Action Plan for CI. As such, TC enhances CI awareness and resilience by strengthening collaboration and information sharing among industry stakeholders (air, marine and surface).
- For example, TC engages in a number of activities to enhance the cyber resiliency of the transportation sector, including sharing threat information, promoting awareness, publishing guidance for stakeholders, organizing information sessions, and participating in exercices. By the way of example, TC, in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will be hosting a Ransomware Information Session on March 30, 2022, with the aim of improving the safety and security of the Canadian transportation system.
- TC also works with industry and law enforcement partners from across the country through a Rail Security Working Group (RSWG), to help prevent security incidents against Canada’s railway system.
- TC exercises regulatory power to minimize harm to Canadians and the environment and disruptions to the transportation system, including cascading effects to the supply chain.
- TC provides leadership in the development and implementation of policies, plans and a range of programs, to help reduce or mitigate potential CI risks.
IF PRESSED
- TC engages with CI external stakeholders and internal partners by leading, participating in, and contributing to well-established CI safety and security forums, as well as participates in a variety of PS led CI initiatives such as the Lead Federal Departments CI Network, Multi-Sector Network and the National Cross-Sector Forum which is represented by transportation associations.
- TC shares the common goal to strengthen resiliency and protect Canadians from disruption to critical transportation infrastructure.
- Enhancing the resilience of CI can be achieved through the appropriate combination of safety and security measures to address intentional and accidental incidents; business continuity practices to deal with disruptions and ensure the continuation of essential services; and emergency management planning to ensure adequate response procedures are in place to deal with unforeseen disruptions.
- When responding to transportation related incidents, as well as broader emergencies, TC often shares responsibility with other partners and levels of government.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- TC has also partnered with the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association to improve the security of Canada’s railway system to generate tips that may help to identify, investigate and charge suspects.
- With a focus on emergency management, TC contributes to The Strategy by acting as the liaison between modal industry stakeholders and PS for the CI transportation component and participates in a number of PS led initiatives, such as:
- Lead Federal Departments CI Network: This group meets on a quarterly basis and seeks to improve information sharing and to foster collective action and collaboration across Canada’s CI Sectors. It works to strengthen the collective capacity of government and industry to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions affecting Canada’s CI.
- Multi-Sector Network: This group meets annually, as well as ad-hoc when required, to examine Canada’s CI priorities from a cross-sector and multi-jurisdictional perspective, facilitates the timely exchange of information on CI risks and emergency issues, as well as fosters cross-sector partnership among CI owners and operators. This forum includes representatives from CI owners and operators.
- National Cross-Sector Forum: This group meets bi-annually, with the last meeting held in November 2021. It is the only national-level consultation and outreach entity that brings together senior leaders from Canada’s CI Sectors to set priorities, discuss cross-sector and interdependency issues and foster information sharing and best practices to enhance the resilience of Canada’s CI. The transportation sector is represented by the following associations, which are selected by the departmental modes and programs:
- Canadian Airports Council;
- Association of Canadian Port Authorities;
- Railway Association of Canada; and
- Federal Bridge Corporation Ltd.