Details on Transfer Payment Programs over $5 million

Transportation corridors get products reliably to market

Transportation Infrastructure Program

• For-profit organizations

The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund aims to address capacity challenges facing Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor transportation system by funding for strategic infrastructure projects in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that:

• Improve the competitiveness, efficiency and capacity of Canada’s multimodal transportation network; and
• Are focussed on increasing international commerce with the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund is expected to achieve the following:

• Improve end-to-end transit time of containerized freight arriving from ports in Asia; and
• Improve end-to-end transit time of a select grouping of commodities, such as grains, departing from Canada to Asia.

• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Government
• Other

There are no further engagements activities with applicants and recipients planned for this Program.

The Outaouais Road Development Agreement makes contributions to the Government of Quebec for highway efficiency and safety improvements in the Outaouais region, while encouraging regional and industrial development and tourism in the National Capital Region.

The expected results are the execution of annual construction program and progressive completion of the construction of the projects identified in the Agreement in accordance with the funds availability. The performance measures and performance indicators for monitoring and reporting are that the construction is under way as agreed and the number or percentage of projects completed per year.

There are no plans to engage with the recipient on the design, delivery, and evaluation of the Program at this time.

Transportation Infrastructure Program

The Ferry Services Contribution Program provides financial assistance to maintain three inter-provincial ferry services in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec. More specifically, the contributions are for the following services:

• Across the Northumberland Strait between Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island and Caribou, Nova Scotia operated by Northumberland Ferries Ltd.;
• Between Cap-aux-Meules, Îles de la Madeleine, Quebec and Souris, Prince Edward Island operated by CTMA Traversier Ltée; and
• Between Saint John, New Brunswick and Digby, Nova Scotia operated by Bay Ferries Ltd..

The Program is expected to yield the following results:

• Ferry services in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec will continue to be operational;
• Certain remote communities will have access to regional transportation options; and
• Safe, efficient and reliable ferry services will be provided between Cap-aux-Meules, Îles de la Madeleine and Souris, Prince Edward Island; Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island and Caribou, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick and Digby, Nova Scotia.

• For-profit organizations

• Discuss and provide recipients with clear template-based contribution agreements, leases and charter party agreements;
• Annually review and negotiate the performance objectives and budget required to deliver the ferry services as per the terms of the agreements;
• Inform recipients of service standards and reporting requirements based on each recipient’s risk profile;
• Maintain an ongoing dialogue with recipients to assess change and progress via monthly conference calls;
• Follow up with recipients as required on project activities, funding requirements and reporting requirements; and
• Notify recipients of the requirement to conduct audits and inform us of the audit findings.

National Trade Corridors Program

The Gateways and Border Crossings Fund (GBCF) is a merit-based program that funds transportation infrastructure and other related initiatives to:

• Develop and exploit Canada's strategic gateways, trade corridors and border crossings; and
• Better integrate the national transportation system.

The Gateways and Border Crossings Fund is expected to achieve the following:

• Reduce the end-to-end transit time of containerized freight arriving from ports in Asia; and
• Reduce the end-to-end transit time of a select grouping of commodities, such as grains, departing from Canada to Asia.

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• For-profit organizations
• Government
• International (non-government)
• Other

There are no further engagement activities with applicants and recipients planned for this Program

Transportation Infrastructure Program

Transport Canada provides an annual grant to the Province of British Columbia to support coastal ferry services. The program fulfills the federal government’s legal obligations as set out in the agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia signed in 1977 whereby the Province would assume the sole responsibility for coastal ferry services in return for an on-going indexed grant from Canada.

The grant is expected to result in transportation links to the national surface transportation system from various regions and isolated areas of British Columbia.

• Government

We engage the Province to discuss and confirm the annual payment.

Climate Change and Clean Air

The Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program contributes to a clean transportation system by increasing the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in Canada through purchase incentives, as a means to reduce air pollution and/or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation. More specifically, the program is targeted towards increasing the adoption of these vehicles by middle-class Canadians, and does so by prioritizing incentives for the purchases of affordable ZEVs.

The Program is expected to increase the affordability and availability of ZEVs across Canada to middle-income families, which will provide long-term environmental benefits to Canadians.

• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Government
• Individual or sole proprietorships

Transport Canada is planning to seek feedback on the program design, experience with the Program and to inform future programs and policies related to zero-emission vehicles.

National Trade Corridors

The National Trade Corridors Fund provides funding to help infrastructure owners and users invest in strategic projects that:

• Support the flow of goods and passengers by reducing bottlenecks and address capacity issues;
• Help the transportation system withstand the effects of climate change and make sure it is able to support new technologies and innovation;
• Address the unique transportation needs in Canada's North to improve safety and facilitate economic and social development; and
• Build on investments made by a variety of public and private sector partners.

The National Trade Corridors Program is expected to achieve the following:

• Deliver planned projects on time, on scope (i.e., in accordance with the original contribution agreement) and on budget; and
• Provide Canadians with value for every grant and contribution dollar of funding we invest into a trade corridors project.

• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions
• Indigenous recipients
• Government
• Other

Engagement initiatives include:

• Calls for project proposals;
• Consultations and meetings with partners and stakeholders; and
• Program details are posted on our website and disseminated through outreach activities, such as information sessions

Transportation Infrastructure Program

The Northumberland Strait Crossing subsidy payments are made to the bridge operator to honour a constitutional obligation to provide a transportation link between Prince Edward Island and the mainland.

Federal funding is provided for continuous and efficient year-round transportation of people and goods between Prince Edward Island and the mainland to support an efficient, integrated and accessible transportation system.

Not applicable

Transportation Infrastructure Program

The Ports Asset Transfer Program was developed to facilitate the transfer of the remaining Transport Canada administered local port facilities. Ports can be acquired through sales or divestiture of the facility. Divestitures can include grant or contribution funding for acquiring parties. As of March 30, 2020 there will be 34 ports remaining in Transport Canada’s inventory.

• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Government
• Indigenous recipients
• Other (eg., federal port authorities)

As part of the engagement phase, we:

• Sent letters and/or held meetings with federal, provincial and municipal counterparts, Indigenous groups and other interested parties;
• Issued news releases and public notices; and
• Posted information on the internet.

Engagement with stakeholders is ongoing throughout the Program’s lifecycle, with a particular emphasis on keeping Indigenous groups informed on the status of ports in their areas.

Protecting Oceans and Waterways Program

The objectives of the Program to Protect Canada’s Coastlines and Waterways are to strengthen the safety of Canada’s marine transportation system and protect Canada’s coastlines and waterways. This aligns with our Department’s core responsibility of providing Canada with a green and efficient marine transportation system. More specifically, the Program aims to:

• Protect Canada’s coasts and waterways from hazards (e.g., by removing wrecked and abandoned boats);
• Support safer marine operations in the North and protect northern communities from marine pollution incidents; and
• Increase the number of Canadians in the marine sector, particularly women, northerners and Indigenous peoples.

We expect that this Program will:

• Increase:
  • The number of marine training schools offering marine training targeted to Indigenous and other underrepresented groups;
  • The availability, accessibility and reliability of marine traffic information shared with non-federal entities (e.g., Indigenous and coastal communities, provinces);
  • The number of Northern communities deploying new safety equipment and basic marine infrastructure obtained through the program; and
  • Awareness of vessel owner responsibilities and research supporting environmentally responsible vessel end of life management; and
• Strengthen the prevention and response to marine safety and pollution incidents by:
  • Engaging with Indigenous groups and other communities that participate in Canada’s marine safety system;
  • Reducing the number and negative impact resulting from marine incidents and spills; and
  • Reducing the number of abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels present in Canadian waters.

• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions
• Indigenous recipients
• Individual or sole proprietorships
• Other (eg., Canada port authorities)

There are no future plans to engage with applicants and recipients on the design, delivery, and evaluation of the Program at this time.

Rail Safety Improvement Program

The Rail Safety Improvement Program (RSIP) provides grant and contribution funding to improve rail safety and reduce injuries and fatalities related to rail transportation.

The Program funds:

• Safety improvements to existing rail lines;
• The use of innovative technologies;
• Research and studies to improve safety;
• Closures of grade crossings; and
• Initiatives to raise awareness about rail safety issues across Canada.

The RSIP consists of two key components:

• Infrastructure, Technology and Research; and
• Public Education and Awareness.

The Program aims to improve rail safety by:

• Closing, relocating or improving road/railway crossings;
• Measures taken to improve safety at rail property;
• Developing and/or using outreach or training materials that promote rail safety; and
• Piloting of new technologies at grade crossings and on rail lines.

• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Indigenous recipients
• Government
• Individual or sole proprietorships
• Other (eg., road and transit authorities)

These include:

• Quarterly meetings / conference calls with key recipients;
• Regular Canada-wide webinars engaging key stakeholders, e.g. provinces, municipalities, for and not-for profit organizations; and
• Community outreach through electronic communications, social media and targeted presentations.

Rail Safety Regulatory Framework

This program provides funding to ensure that safe, reliable, viable and sustainable passenger rail services are provided to certain areas of the country where these services are the only means of surface transportation for remote communities. Funding for both operating and capital projects is provided.

The Program will maintain a safe, reliable, viable and sustainable passenger rail services in remote communities; and in remote communities and complete capital projects that enable the acquisition of railway assets or the construction or rehabilitation of railway assets.

• For-profit organizations
• Indigenous recipients

There are discussions with the recipients on the renewal of the Program.

Motor Vehicle Safety Oversight Program

To establish nationally-consistent road use frameworks, standards, policies, programs and outreach activities to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities on the road, while also encouraging the safe and effective use of innovative technologies, encouraging harmonization, and economic growth.

This Program aims to:

• develop, maintain and improve the enforcement of the safety fitness framework and the National Safety Code standards for extra-provincial motor carriers (trucks and buses);
• develop, maintain and enforce safe road practice initiatives;
• contribute to the national collection and public dissemination of timely and quality road safety data; and
• enhance shared knowledge of emerging road safety technologies.

• Not-for-profit organizations
• Government

Engagement of provinces, territories and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators occurs at CCMTA and Transportation Association of Canada meetings, and at one on one meetings with provinces, territories and other stakeholders. The input from participants provides advice to Transport Canada for future updates to the program.