Overview of the First 100 Days:
The first 100 days of the new mandate will be a busy period. Early activities include the establishment of the Minister’s office, background briefings, and work on the priorities outlined in the mandate letter. 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:
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Indigenous groups, particularly those in active engagement with Transport Canada;
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provincial and territorial counterparts, with whom the Minister and their office have important shared responsibilities;
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key leaders of institutions in the Minister’s portfolio;
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key industry stakeholders; and
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international partners, both bilateral (e.g., US Secretary of Transportation) and multilateral (e.g., leadership of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), headquartered in Montreal).
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 2022, there were over 500 airlines in Canada - most of them fairly small in scale and some specialized – each playing an important role in the air transportation system, writ large. For many Canadians, particularly those living in remote and northern communities, these smaller operators provide essential transportation linkages to the rest of the country by supporting tourism, business travel and regional connectivity. Maintaining air connectivity in Canada will be a priority for the Minister, given its importance in supporting the social and economic recovery of all regions of the country, while also continuing to enable passenger flow and trade.
Another important file under the Minister’s portfolio will be to continue to advance efforts to further strengthen transportation supply chains, given the integral role they play in the Canadian economy. The global COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and severe weather events have significantly impacted Canada’s supply chains and have highlighted the need to build greater resiliency in the transportation sector. A key component of this work will be the development of a National Supply Chain Strategy, as announced in Budget 2023. The Minister will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with industry stakeholders, various levels of government, and other federal departments in the development of the Strategy.
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, the Minister will be required to table a number of reports and plans as outlined in the Parliamentary Business section.
There are some items that will require early briefings and decisions by the Minister of Transport. These include:
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early submissions required to obtain needed authorities from Treasury Board or Cabinet;
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management of ongoing litigation;
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direction for Transport Canada on key upcoming inter-governmental and international meetings;
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legislative items to be tabled; and
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decisions and direction on top government priorities for early action.
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.
Briefings will be scheduled with the Minister and their staff in the early days and weeks to provide an opportunity for Transport Canada officials to provide in-depth information on key issues.
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 the Minister’s office to provide advice on attendance. It is expected, as Minister of Transport, to receive invitations for additional events and activities.
September/ October 2023
Renaming Ceremony in Haidi Nation / Sandspit, B.C.
Following receipt of support from the prior Minister of Transport, Transport Canada officials have been liaising with PSPC and the Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) regarding the possible renaming of Sandspit Airport in B.C., to a traditional Haidi name. Should this proceed, the CHN has invited the Minister of Transport to a renaming ceremony in September 2023.
Groundbreaking Ceremony – New NASP Hangar in Iqaluit, NU
Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada approved an initiative to build a new National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP) hangar in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Initially announced in 2017, the contract for construction was awarded in the summer of 2023 and is set to begin by the fall of 2023.
The new Arctic NASP hangar will allow year-round operations in the Arctic as needed, supporting the safety, security, and environmental sustainability of marine transportation in the North. These operations can include missions in support of marine pollution prevention, emergency response, ice reconnaissance, search and rescue, and monitoring of vessels.
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PIARC World Road Congress 2023 – Prague, Czech Republic
PIARC Congress is organized by the World Road Association, which aims to foster and facilitate global discussion and knowledge sharing on roads and road transportation. The Association boasts 125 government members worldwide and retains consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The PIARC Congress offers the Minister an opportunity to engage with some of Canada’s key partners through side programs to anchor events, including an event at the Canadian Pavillion.
Ministerial Visit to Washington, D.C., and Florida
A trip to Washington, D.C., offers the Minister an opportunity to advance Canada-U.S. priorities through meetings with Chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Transportation Committees, as well as the possibility for meetings with the Secretaries of the Department of Transport and Department of Homeland Security.
A side-programme in Florida will also offer the Minister an opportunity to foster the development of Canada’s nascent commercial space industry with a side trip to Florida’s space coast, as well as witnessing a space launch.
November-December 2023
COP28 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Minister could attend COP28, as part of the Canadian delegation, and meet with international stakeholders on matters related to clean transportation and decarbonization.
COP28 would be a great setting for announcements related to green shipping corridors and sustainable aviation fuel, should those initiatives be ready to announce at that time.
A side programme could also be arranged to offer the Minister an opportunity to engage with additional international partners in the region.