Managing the First 100 Days

Overview of the First 100 Days

The first 100 days of the new mandate will be a busy period: preparing for the start of a new Parliament, a Speech from the Throne, the first Budget of the mandate, and generally moving forward as quickly as possible on the Government’s priorities to ensure a successful start as Minister of Transport. 

(Note: this material was prepared in advance of the mandate letter from the Prime Minister, the Speech from the Throne, and confirmation of the exact date when Parliament will convene. All of these will have a material impact on activities over the first 100 days).

Early activities include the establishment of the office, background briefings, and work on the priorities outlined in your mandate letter, and the department will work closely with the Minister and their office on these.

In the first 100 days the Minister will have an opportunity to advance key relationships that are important to the role, notably with:

  1. provincial and territorial counterparts, with whom you have important shared responsibilities;
  2. Indigenous groups, particularly those in active engagement with Transport Canada;
  3. key leaders of institutions in your portfolio;
  4. key industry stakeholders; and
  5. international partners, both bilateral (e.g. US Secretary of Transportation) and multilateral (e.g.  leadership of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), headquartered in Montreal).

The transportation industry stakeholders are diverse in size, needs and interests.  There are a few large, international players that are household names, but there are also many smaller, less well-known players that play a crucial role in the system.  For example, in the air sector, the two largest airlines (Air Canada and WestJet), account for the majority of passenger travel in Canada. However, in 2019, there were over 200 airlines in Canada - most of them fairly small in scale and some are specialized – and they are really important to the air transportation system. In some Canadian communities – particularly in remote and northern communities - these smaller operators provide the essential transportation linkage to the rest of the country.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the lives and livelihood of many Canadians, as well as the entire transportation sector. The air sector was particularly hard-hit by the pandemic, experiencing a catastrophic contraction on air services due to a collapse in demand, border closures, and public health restrictions. Passenger transport operations, such as intercity bus and rail services, ferries, and cruise ships also saw their operations drastically impacted by COVID-19 safety measures. As the pandemic evolves and efforts continue to work towards recovery and travel restart post-pandemic, Transport Canada is committed to ensuring a healthy and safe transportation sector.

As the very busy weekly schedule of your Cabinet and Parliamentary responsibilities become clear, the Department will work with the Minister and their office to decide on and schedule outreach, speaking opportunities, announcements and other engagements. Sections below outline Key Events for Transport Canada over the first 100 days.

In the early days after Parliament reconvenes, you will be required to table a number of reports and plans as outlined here.

There are some items that will require early briefings and decisions by the Minister of Transport.  These include:

  • early submissions required to obtain needed authorities from Treasury Board or Cabinet;
  • management of ongoing litigation;
  • direction for Transport Canada on key upcoming inter-governmental and international meetings;
  • legislative items to be tabled; and
  • decisions and direction on top government priorities for early action (e.g., vaccine mandate).

Finally, there are several Transport Canada Contribution Programs that are currently continuing to operate within existing terms and authorities, and enable progress on important issues in the sector.  There will be opportunities for the Minister to make decisions and announcements in respect of these programs within the first 100 days.  Some examples of these programs can be found here.

Key Events for Transport Canada

Below is a non-exhaustive list of key events for Transport Canada involving, or potentially involving, the Minister. These events range from international fora to annual stakeholder events, and may provide opportunities for speaking engagements or to meet with stakeholders. Departmental correspondence tracks all incoming event invitations, and works closely with your office to provide advice on attendance. It is expected, as Minister of Transport, to receive invitations for additional events and activities.

October 2021

Events at the International Civil Aviation Organization

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a United Nations specialized agency created in 1944 under the Convention on International Civil Aviation (also known as the Chicago Convention). ICAO works with its 193 Member States and industry groups to reach consensus on Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies to support a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector.

Canada is the host country of ICAO, which is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec.

The ICAO Assembly is the Organization’s sovereign body. It meets at least once every three years and is convened by ICAO’s governing body, the Council. The Council is a permanent body of ICAO responsible to the Assembly. It is composed of 36 Member States elected by the Assembly for a three-year term, including Canada.

  • October 25- November 12, 2021. Montréal, Québec. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, 224th Session - Council phase.
    • The Council normally convenes three times per year to carry out the directions of the Assembly and to discharge obligations laid on it by the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
    • The meeting will be virtual. The Mission will confirm at a future date if any topic appropriate for Ministerial participation, but is not expected at this juncture.

Other events

  • October 31 - November 12, 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) Glasgow, United Kingdom.
    • Discussions on updated state Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, and the opportunity to join a number of COP adjacent initiatives related to international transportation.
    • Canadian delegation is yet to be determined.
    • Conference is in person and the Minister of Transport has been invited to participate in ‘Transport Day’ on November 10. A number of adjacent events are also being organized.

November 2021

  • November 18, 2021 (tentative date). Canadian Drone Advisory Committee (CanaDAC).
    • The CanaDAC is a national forum bringing together up to 35 key thought leaders and subject matter experts from a broad range of implicated sectors, plus a small number of international observers, to encourage innovation and growth of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) industry in Canada.
    • The committee is co-chaired by TC and a stakeholder representative.
    • This is a new advisory committee that was recently launched on May 12, 2021. This will be the second committee meeting held. Attendance at the event is optional and subject to scheduling demands, however it would provide a good opportunity to commit to this important part of the aviation industry.  
    • This meeting will be held virtually as a half-day event.

  • November 23 to December 2 (TBC). Canadian Marine Advisory Committee (CMAC).
    • The Canadian Marine Advisory Committee (CMAC) represents parties with an interest in shipping, navigation and marine pollution concerns. CMAC advises the government on issues and opportunities related to marine safety and security, and releases reports each year based on their findings.
    • These meetings are an opportunity for attendees to share their views on marine safety and security in various different topics including: Construction and Equipment, Domestic Vessel Regulatory Oversight, Environmental Issues, Marine Security, Navigation and Operations, Personnel, and Recreational Boating. 
    • The meetings generally have approximately 500 attendees from government, marine industry, unions and the general public. The Minister often appears, depending on availability.
    • This session will be held virtually.

December 2021

  • December 7-9, 2021 – London EV Show. London, United Kingdom.
    • London EV Show offers a platform for companies in the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry to showcase the latest products, services, and innovations.
    • The show focuses on addressing the competitive landscape of the global EV market, together with the vast opportunities and potential challenges of EV development in the world.
    • Transport Canada has been invited to be a keynote speaker.
    • The event will be in a hybrid format.
  • December 8-9, 2021 – WESTAC 2021 Fall Member Forum, Vancouver, BC
    • WESTAC’s signature event is its bi-annual Member Forum, a one- to two-day member-only event offering in-camera presentations and discussions about topical issues.
    • Provide opportunities to hear from members on developments affecting the transport of Canada’s exports and imports, as well as for informal meetings between senior industry representatives and decision-makers.
    • The 2021 Fall Forum will be themed around transportation resiliency from two aspects: ensuring infrastructure is resilient from climate change and cyber risks.
    • The Minister occasionally participates, depending on availability.
    • WESTAC is planning to hold the meeting in person, although it may switch to a virtual meeting based on public health guidance.

  • December 1-10 (TBD): Commodity Supply Chain Table.
    • Organized by Transport Canada Policy, to facilitate half-day discussions with bulk freight supply chain partners and other stakeholders on topical issues related to the efficiency and performance of Canada’s freight rail-based supply chains.
    • The Minister occasionally participates, depending on availability.
    • Virtual Format.
  • December 6-15, 2021: International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council Election. London, United Kingdom.
    • The election will take place during the 32nd regular session of the Assembly. Canada announced its candidature for re-election to the IMO Council in Category B in January 2021.
    • Canada has been an active member of the IMO since its establishment in 1948 and has served on the Council under Category B without interruption since 1959.
    • Minister may be asked to record a short general statement to be played at the meeting in advance of the election.
    • Virtual format.

January 2022

  • Date TBC. Ottawa, ON. Federal-Provincial-Territorial Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety (CoM) Meeting. 
    • The Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety is the principal intergovernmental forum in Canada for discussion and joint action on matters related to, or affecting, transportation within Canada or internationally.
    • This is a cornerstone meeting with federal/provincial/territorial (FPT) colleagues for the year, with the agenda prepared by officials and follow up work tracked by FPT officials.
    • The exact date has not yet been confirmed; however, it is typically held in late January or early February. By agreement, the location often rotates between Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa for travel convenience. The format for the 2022 meeting is to be determined, although early indication is that Ministers would meet in person. The past two meetings have been held virtually due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

February 2022

  • February 7-11, 2022. XVI World Winter Service and Road Resilience Congress, PIARC (The World Road Association).
    • Canada is hosting the Congress in 2022, which is the largest gathering of academic, government and civil society experts who convene to promote knowledge sharing on winter road issues. This Congress will also address resilience in road transportation of member nations, as well as climate change and sustainability.
    • Due to the ongoing health and financial impacts of COVID-19, this large international event that was to be held in Calgary, Alberta, has pivoted to an online platform.