On this page
- Response to parliamentary committees
- TRAN Report 8 Enhancing the Efficient, Affordable Operation of Canada’s Airports
- TRAN Report 9 – Addressing Labour Shortages in the Canadian Transportation Sector
- TRAN Report 10 – Strengthening Air Passenger Rights in Canada
- TRAN Report 11 – Reducing the Impact of Commercial Shipping on Shoreline Erosion in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Corridor
- TRAN Report 13 – Improving Bus Connectivity in Canada
- TRAN Report 14 – Addressing Port Infrastructure Expansion in Canada
- PACP Report 32 – Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities
- CIIT Report 5 – Transporting Goods in Rail Containers: Some Trade Implications for Canada
- Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
Response to parliamentary committees
TRAN Report 8 – Enhancing the Efficient, Affordable Operation of Canada’s Airports
Summary: On February 16, 2023, the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities issued its eighth report, “Enhancing the Efficient, Affordable Operation of Canada’s Airports.” The report includes nine recommendations aimed at reducing red tape and costs on rural and urban Canadian airport operators, with a view to making Canada’s air transportation sector move viable and efficient while delivering a better passenger experience.
Corrective actions taken to address the recommendations: The Government supports some of the Report’s recommendations as detailed in the Government response, which was tabled in the House of Commons on June 12, 2023.
Transport Canada officials continue to work with aviation industry stakeholders through several forums to ensure the viability and efficiency of Canada’s civil air transportation system, and to assess ways to support regional connectivity.
On June 20, 2023, the Government introduced Bill C-52, the “Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in the Transportation System Act.” If passed, Bill C-52 would enact the “Air Transportation Accountability Act,” which would authorize the creation of regulations respecting service standards for air transport and establish an oversight framework for airport operators with a primary focus on noise consultations, climate change planning, and diversity. The bill was debated at second reading on October 27 and November 21, 2023; the debate has not concluded.
Legislative amendments have been made to the Canada Transportation Act through Bill C-47, Budget Implementation Act, No. 1, which received Royal Assent in June 2023. These changes provide the Minister of Transport with new authorities to develop regulations with respect to data sharing among key partners in the airport ecosystem. The Government is working with air sector stakeholders to collaborate on data coordination and sharing initiatives to improve operational efficiencies in the sector, and overall passenger experience.
Transport Canada continues to modernize its Transportation Security Clearance program, implementing strategies to reduce administrative delays in the processing of applications, including technical efficiencies. In collaboration with stakeholders in aviation and marine, the department has augmented online services, resulting in faster processing times.
Transport Canada continues to prioritize medical certificate applications for the maintenance of essential aviation services, including air traffic control services and the preservation of livelihoods. Transport Canada continues to liaise with stakeholders including airlines, associations, unions, and flight training units to identify and process priority aviation medical certificate applications.
TRAN Report 9 – Addressing Labour Shortages in the Canadian Transportation Sector
Summary: On March 7, 2023, the Committee tabled a Report entitled “Addressing Labour Shortages in the Canadian Transportation Sector” in the House of Commons. The Report focused on the impact of the current and anticipated labour shortages in the Canadian transportation sector. It included 15 recommendations to attract and retain a robust transportation sector workforce to address these impacts.
The Government supports or acknowledges most of the Report’s recommendations as detailed in the Government Response, tabled in the House of Commons on September 18, 2023.
Corrective actions taken to address the recommendations: Transport Canada has implemented several actions to address the recommendations presented in the report. These measures include hosting a virtual Multimodal Symposium on Labour and Skills Shortages in November 2023 with over 200 partners to identify solutions and share best practices to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the transportation workforce. Additionally, Transport Canada’s Marine Safety and Security Branch (TCMSS) hosted a Seafarer Labour Shortage webinar in November 2023.
Transport Canada’s Electronic Personnel License (EPL) team (Aviation) is building on a second EPL pilot trial in March 2024 and is developing a more advanced EPL that will fully comply with ICAO specifications. The department expects to launch a larger trial featuring EPL technology in February 2025, with the goal of offering the EPL as a TCCA/ICAO-compliant licensing option by end of 2026. It is expected that around 500 pilots and air traffic controllers will enroll in the upcoming trial.
Transport Canada’s Recurrent Pilot Proficiency Checks (PPC), designed to allow for Approved Check Pilots (ACPs) to enter their results into a digital form system to eliminate paper-based dependencies and associated delays is now in full production and available for ACPs to submit PPCs electronically. User feedback has been positive for this system with an average rating of 4.6 / 5.
To address seafarer labour shortages, section 10(2) of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 was amended to add a new exemption power: The Minister of Transport may exempt for a specified period any person, class of persons from the application of any provision of this Act. This will allow qualified seafarers, previously excluded by the definition of “qualified persons” in the Act, to fill employment gaps in the marine sector.
In April 2024, TCMSS published a Transport Publication (TP) 15595: Delivery of Distance, Online and Blended Learning Courses which establishes a standard by which approved Canadian maritime institutions can deliver training using the latest in educational delivery methods and technology. The TP also provides a standard by which approved institutions may administer tests online and has the potential to reduce barriers to attaining an education such as geography, distance, and home life balance.
TRAN Report 10 – Strengthening Air Passenger Rights in Canada
Summary of the report: On April 18, 2023, the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities tabled a report entitled “Strengthening Air Passenger Rights in Canada”, which includes 21 recommendations aimed at various considerations to strengthen air passenger rights in Canada.
Corrective actions taken to address the recommendations: The Government of Canada agrees with a majority of the Report’s recommendations and supports or acknowledges the intent of each of the 21 recommendations, as described in the Government response, which was tabled in the House of Commons on September 18, 2023.
As detailed in the Government response, several initiatives are ongoing and legislative amendments were approved in June 2023, through the Budget Implementation Act, 2023, to strengthen and reduce ambiguity in Canada’s passenger rights regime, increase air carriers’ accountability, provide the Canadian Transportation Agency with enhanced enforcement authorities, and streamline the process for administering air travel complaints, while allowing it to recover the cost of processing eligible air travel complaints.
A simplified and time-bound air travel complaint resolution process was implemented by the Canadian Transportation Agency in September 2023 to provide timely dispute resolution services to Canadians. The Government continues to work with the Canadian Transportation Agency to strengthen and make the Air Passenger Protection Regulations clearer and less complex for both travellers and air carriers.
TRAN Report 11 – Reducing the Impact of Commercial Shipping on Shoreline Erosion in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Corridor
Summary of the report: On April 25, 2023, the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities tabled its eleventh report entitled “Reducing the Impact of Commercial Shipping on Shoreline Erosion in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Corridor” (the Report). The Report highlighted shoreline erosion as a complex multi-factor phenomenon resulting from ice, waves caused by wind, currents, and tides, as well as vessel wake from marine shipping traffic. The report included 6 recommendations aimed at reducing shoreline erosion as a result of marine shipping.
Corrective actions taken to address the recommendations: The Government of Canada acknowledged the six recommendations and addressed them all by focusing on current federal initiatives and programs being undertaken by multiple federal departments and agencies designed to reduce shoreline erosion from various sources, including marine shipping. The Government Response was tabled on September 18, 2023.
TRAN Report 13 – Improving Bus Connectivity in Canada
Summary of the report: On May 30, 2023, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities presented its thirteenth study, entitled “Improving Bus Connectivity in Canada.” The report includes seven recommendations aimed at enhancing Canada’s bus sector, particularly for rural, remote and Indigenous communities as well as better integrating services with other transportation options.
Corrective actions taken to address the recommendations: The Government of Canada broadly supports the majority of the Committee’s recommendations. In its response, presented on September 25, 2023, the Government underscores the main role of provinces and territories in developing and administering solutions to support bus services. Following Greyhound’s discontinuation of all remaining domestic services in 2021, the Government collaborated with provinces and territories to identify potential opportunities to support the sector. The response highlights that the Government of Canada remains open to engaging with provinces and territories on opportunities to strengthen the sector.
TRAN Report 14 – Addressing Port Infrastructure Expansion in Canada
Summary of the report: In March 2023, the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities conducted a study on large port infrastructure expansion projects in Canada. The Committee held two meetings and visited several ports, including Montreal, Halifax, St. John’s, Hamilton, and Prince Rupert. Stakeholders discussed ongoing and planned port expansion projects and the challenges in implementing them. Key issues raised included the need to expedite the government’s impact assessment process, the restrictive borrowing limits for Canada Port Authorities, and concerns about labour shortages. Additionally, there were recommendations for a national supply chain strategy and improved data sharing among stakeholders.
Corrective actions taken to address the recommendations: Of the twelve recommendations made by the Committee in the report, the Government has taken action to address eleven of them. To this end, Transport Canada has implemented several key measures. One significant step was the creation of the National Supply Chain Office. In addition, the National Transportation Supply Chain Strategy is currently in development. Both are dedicated to making the movement of goods more fluid and efficient, as well as addressing bottlenecks facing Canada’s supply chains.
Additionally, Transport Canada has worked to advance Bill C-33, the Strengthening the Port System and Railway Safety in Canada Act. This legislation contains key reforms that would address multiple recommendations in the report, such as requiring Canada Port Authorities (CPAs) to establish and report on emission reduction targets, improving the review process for borrowing limits of CPAs, establishing advisory committees to support engagement with local and Indigenous communities, clarifying allowable activities for CPAs, and providing the Government with an improved line-of-sight into supply chains and investments through data collection. Furthermore, in October 2022, the Minister of Transport noted the department’s intent to lead an examination of the complementarity of Canada Port Authorities with a view to supporting greater productivity of these key federal assets. This examination is currently underway.
The Government of Canada has also allocated funding through the 2022 and 2023 budgets to various initiatives aimed at enhancing supply chain efficiency and fluidity, increasing supply chain digitalization, and fostering cooperative communication between ports. For example, $1.3 billion over six years, starting in 2022-23, and $55.4 million ongoing, has been invested in the Impact Assessment Agency, the Ministerial Working Group on Regulatory Efficiency for Clean Growth Projects, and twelve other federal entities to improve the efficiency of assessments for major projects. These initiatives demonstrate a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges identified in the Committee's report.
In response to the Committee’s twelve recommendations, a Government Response responding to the recommendations was tabled in the House of Commons on January 29, 2024. The response is documented as Government Response 8512-441-316, and it is available on the House of Commons of Canada website.
PACP Report 32 – Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities
Summary of the report: On November 9, 2023, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts tabled its report entitled “Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities”. The report includes 9 recommendations to ensure that the recommendations in the 2023 Office of the Auditor General Report, entitled Report 1, Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities are properly followed, and that the audited organizations - VIA Rail, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), the Canadian Transportation Agency - provide the Committee with evidence through progress reports.
Corrective actions taken to address the recommendations: The Government supports all nine of the Report’s recommendations as detailed in the government response, which was tabled in the House of Commons on February 9, 2024, noting that the Committee’s recommendations are aligned with measures being advanced or considered by VIA Rail, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), the Canadian Transportation Agency, and Government of Canada. The audited organizations have provided progress reports pursuant to the deadlines presented by the Committee and will provide future reports in line with the deadlines presented by the committee.
CIIT Report 5 – Transporting Goods in Rail Containers: Some Trade Implications for Canada
Summary of the report: On February 24, 2023, the Standing Committee on International Trade issued its fifth report, entitled: “Transporting Goods in Rail Containers: Some Trade Implications for Canada”. The Report focuses on the study of the potential trade implications of transporting goods in rail containers. This includes witness observations detailing challenges encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic when transporting goods in rail containers and includes two recommendations put forward by the Committee for the Government of Canada’s consideration. First, is the necessity to ensure that Canada’s national transportation strategy satisfactorily addresses identified needs in two areas: resilient supply chains; and the ability to transport goods in rail containers in a cost-effective and timely manner. Second, that the Government of Canada give timely consideration to the recommendations contained in the final report of the National Supply Chain Task Force, particularly those pertaining to labour, and to other proposals designed to specifically address labour shortages in the freight rail sector.
Corrective actions taken to address the recommendations: The Government acknowledges both Report’s recommendations as detailed in the government response, which was tabled in the House of Commons on June 12, 2023, noting that the Committee’s recommendations are generally aligned with measures being advanced or considered by the Government of Canada.
Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
Response to audits from the Auditor General of Canada
Report 4 (Spring 2024) – National Trade Corridors Fund – Transport Canada
In response to recommendation 4.25 of the report, Transport Canada is committed to developing procedures and documentation instructions to ensure review committee discussions are formally captured; ensuring appropriate documentation is produced when a project is not recommended for funding; and formally capturing and documenting the confirmation of proposal evaluation scores, calibration exercises and the application of additional considerations at the review committee. These actions will be implemented in advance of the next National Trade Corridors Fund call for proposals.
In response to recommendation 4.43 of the report, Transport Canada committed to ensuring all new contribution agreements continue to use project-specific performance indicators; working with recipients with ongoing projects to determine if they can adopt the project-specific performance indicators as part of the project’s contribution agreement and/or final report; and developing a common tool to ensure all project managers have a single source to input specific performance indicator information and data to allow for reporting of results at the project and program level. These actions will be implemented by September 2025.
Response to audits from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
Report 1 (Spring 2024) – Contaminated Sites in the North
There were no recommendations for Transport Canada.
Response to audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Results of the Second System-Wide Staffing Audit (2024)
The audit determined whether appointments and appointment processes held between December 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021, complied with specific legislative, policy and other applicable requirements, and reviewed 292 indeterminate and term appointment files, including internal, external, advertised, and non-advertised appointments from 19 medium and large participating departments and agencies. The audit reviewed 22 appointments made by Transport Canada.
Overall, the Public Service Commission found high compliance on several requirements, but the audit did identify one area of improvement with respect to official language obligations that was also highlighted in the 2018 System-Wide Staffing Audit. The report’s sole recommendation for all Government departments and agencies is that deputy heads should implement mechanisms or practices to ensure that information on priority clearance requests, advertisements, merit criteria, assessment material, and notifications is the same in English and French throughout the appointment process.
Transport Canada is in the process of implementing practices to address the system-wide gap identified in the audit recommendation related to official languages.