Transport Canada
| UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | 2022‒23 Planned initiatives | Associated domestic targets or "ambitions" and/or global target | 2022‒23 Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries |
Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR) Accessible Transportation Planning and Reporting Regulations (ATPRR) Part V of the Canada Transportation Act, and the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) contribute to creating a barrier-free federal transportation system for persons with disabilities by providing for the development of accessibility standards and regulations. Transport Canada supports the work of the Canadian Transportation Agency in the development and implementation of accessibility standards and regulations, notably the ATPDR, and the ATPRR, and work with national and international partners to make the transportation system more accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities. |
This work supports: Global Indicator Framework: Global target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. Canadian Indicator Framework: Goal 10, ambition: Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced. |
The ATPDR fully came into force on June 25, 2022. The ATPDR covers all modes of federally regulated transportation and sets requirements for transportation service providers (TSP), for services and accommodations, technical requirements, communications, and training. These regulations contribute to ensuring an accessible transportation experience for persons with disabilities. The ATPRR, made under the Accessible Canada Act, requires federally regulated TSPs to publish an accessibility plan describing how a TSP plans to identify, remove and prevent barriers, starting in 2023 for large entities. The ATPRR also require TSPs to establish feedback processes so that persons with disabilities can report barriers, and to publish progress reports on implementing said accessibility plans and feedback processes. On March 27, 2023, the Auditor General of Canada tabled a report on Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities recognizing that work to improve accessibility for travelers with disabilities must continue to achieve a barrier-free Canada. As one of the entities investigated in the audit, the Canadian Transportation Agency contributes to UN SDG 10 and target 10.3 which is to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome. TC has been actively engaged in domestic and international research and working groups to advance accessibility in air travel. Examples include: Accessibility to Persons with Disabilities: Dignified Air Travel for All (PDF, 244 KB), Working Paper presented at International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) 41st General Assembly, September 2022. The Assembly adopted a new Resolution on accessibility of air transport to persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility, which recognizes the need for ICAO's leadership and the air transport sector to advance the accessibility of air transport for passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility. Guidance on the Transport of Mobility Aids, (PDF, 2.99 MB) International Air Transport Association (IATA), February 2023. The safe handling of mobility aids including wheelchairs has been identified as a key topic to advance air travel accessibility. This guidance material, developed by an international working group led by IATA, is intended as reference material to facilitate the safe transportation of mobility aids, and thereby support travel by passengers that rely on these aids. |
| SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts |
A TC representative participates in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Group of Experts on the Assessment of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation for Inland Transport. The Group of Experts advances work to generate and share knowledge and build capacity across the UNECE region; TC representation helps provide a North American perspective to the group, including sharing case studies and information about Canada's transportation adaptation efforts. |
Participation in the Group of Experts contributes to: Canadian Indicator Framework: Goal 13, ambition: Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change. Global Indicator Framework: Global Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related hazards and natural disasters in all countries Global Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. |
Members of Transport Canada's Adaptation Policy team attended the 23rd and 24th sessions of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Group of Experts on Assessment of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation for Inland Transport, on October 31, 2022, and March 9 and 10, 2023, respectively. At the 23rd session, the Government of British Columbia attended to present on their experience with extreme weather events in 2021 that heavily impacted their transportation infrastructure, as well as their ongoing work to improve the climate resilience of their transportation system. In addition to the sessions above, in November 2022, a TC representative also presented at a UNECE Working Party of Rail Transport's session on "The impact of climate change on the railways: how to protect, adapt and mitigate". The mandate of the UNECE Group of Experts is to advance knowledge and build capacity on climate change impact assessment and adaptation approaches, which contributes to global targets 13.1 and 13.3. |