Details on Transfer Payment Programs

Airports Capital Assistance Program

April 1, 2010

Ongoing

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2010-11

An efficient transportation system

Program 1.3: Transportation Infrastructure
Sub-program 1.3.1: Airport Infrastructure
Sub-Sub-program 1.3.1.3: Small Aerodrome Support

The Airports Capital Assistance Program assists eligible applicants in financing safety-related capital projects, to ensure the continued safety of the Canadian travelling public.

Eligible airports meet the safety standards required for continued operation.

Eligible airports with approved safety-related capital infrastructure projects received funding.

Fifty-three new projects were funded across the country, including airfield surface rehabilitations, airfield lighting rehabilitations, and the purchase of airside mobile equipment.

Winter weather conditions led to short construction seasons in some areas of the country as well as delays in the delivery of mobile equipment. The impacted projects were not fully completed and have carried over to the following fiscal year.

No audit was completed during the reporting period.

2014–15

Continuation

2019–20

Airports that meet the program's eligibility criteria (i.e., they are not owned or operated by the federal government; they meet certification requirements; they have at least 1,000 regularly scheduled commercial passengers per year).

Program details are posted on the departmental website. Information on eligibility and application forms are available online.

The Program meets annually with the Regional Community Airports of Canada and other national/provincial trade organizations, where ideas on program improvement are exchanged. In addition, program staff attend major provincial/territorial airport/aviation meetings annually across the country. These fora give applicants/recipients an opportunity to review proposed and current projects with ACAP staff.

Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund

October 20, 2006

Ongoing

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2012-13

An efficient transportation system

Program 1.2: Gateways and Corridors
Sub-program 1.2.1: Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative

The primary objective of the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund is to address capacity challenges facing Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor transportation system. The Fund provides funding for strategic infrastructure projects in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that enhance the competitiveness, efficiency and capacity of Canada's multimodal transportation network focused on international commerce with the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund transfer payment program will result in the completion and advancement of strategic transportation infrastructure projects that contribute to the objectives of the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, including addressing bottlenecks, capacity constraints and other impediments to the flow of trade.

Our efforts in 2017-18 centred around:

• Working with recipients to resolve challenges that were delaying the successful completion of long-standing projects; and
• Delivering the remaining 15 projects under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund, including the completion of 6 projects.

Over $13 million was invested to advance these projects during the 2017-18 fiscal year, representing approximately 29% of the funding committed to these projects.

The variance of $19,381,250 is largely due to project delays due to implementation complications or weather conditions.

No audit was completed during the reporting period.

2016-17

Continuation

Not applicable

The targeted recipients are:

• Provinces and territories, including provincial and territorially-owned transportation entities;
• Municipalities, including municipally-owned transportation entities;
• Public sector organizations, including transit agencies, commissions and boards, but excluding federal Crown corporations;
• Not-for-profit organizations; and
• Industry-related organizations, including for-profit organizations and Canada Port Authorities (subject to Canada Marine Act amendments).

Engagement initiatives include:

• Calls for project proposals; and
• Consultations and meetings with partners and stakeholders.

Agreement management committees are responsible for the management and administration of contribution agreements between Transport Canada and Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Transportation Infrastructure Fund recipients.

Ferry Services Contribution Program

1941

March 31, 2020

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2019-2020

An efficient transportation system

Program 1.3:Transportation Infrastructure
Sub-program 1.3.2: Marine Infrastructure
Sub-Sub-program 1.3.2.3: Ferry Services Stewardship and Support

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 contribution is expected to have 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 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.

The program is efficiently managed and is supportive of departmental outcomes (i.e., an efficient transportation system).

An amount of $23.9 million was received through Supplementary Estimates in 2017-18 for the Program.

During the last two months of 2017-18, two of the department's vessels were undergoing major maintenance. As a result, an amount of $203,676 was reserved as a small contingency in case of any new issues which were discovered while undertaking these projects.

No audit was completed during the reporting period. An audit will be undertaken in 2018-2019.

2014–15

Continuation

2018-2019

Industry-related - This program is developed for three ferry services operated by the following recipients:

• CTMA Traversier Ltée;
• Northumberland Ferries Ltd.; and
• Bay Ferries Ltd.

All three recipients are private companies.

TC:

• Discuses and provides 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;
• Maintains an ongoing dialogue with recipients to assess change and progress via monthly conference calls;
• Follow-ups with recipients as required on project activities, funding requirements and reporting requirements; and
• Notifies recipients of the requirement to conduct audits and inform us of the audit findings.

Gateways and Border Crossings Fund

February 7, 2008

No end date

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Original: 2007-2008; last revision 2014-15

An efficient transportation system

Program 1.2: Gateways and Corridors
Sub-program 1.2.2: Gateways and Border Crossings Fund

The Gateways and Border Crossings Fund 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 result in:

• Identification of bottlenecks, capacity constraints and other impediments to the flow of goods and people;
• Completion of projects to improve highway, rail, air and marine capacity, intermodal links and connectors, and technology to improve efficiency;
• Enhancement of the integration of the transportation system; and
• Enhancement of economic competitiveness and productivity.

The GBCF program continues to meet its program objectives. Four GBCF projects were completed in 2017-18.

The variance of $46,402,089 is largely due to:

• The change in project scope associated to the Cornwall CBSA facilities project; and
• Delays that occurred with GBCF projects due to unforeseen situations such as delayed construction activities and weather conditions.

No audit was completed during the reporting period

A program evaluation was completed in January 2017

The Gateways and Border Crossings Fund is meeting its objectives and will be further evaluated at the end of the program.

Not Applicable

The Gateways and Border Crossings Fund targets:

• Provinces and Territories;
• Municipalities and local organizations;
• Non-profit organizations;
• Industry-related entities;
• Others including:
  • Regional/provincial/national/international associations and committees; and
  • Federal Crown corporations that own international bridges.

Engagement initiatives include: targeted calls for project proposals; consultations and meetings with partners and stakeholders; and promotions at gateway/trade-related conferences.

Agreement Management Committees are responsible for the management and administration of contribution agreements between Transport Canada and Gateways and Border Crossings Fund recipients.

Rail Safety Improvement Program

April 1, 2016

Ongoing

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2016-17

A safe and secure transportation system

Program 3.3: Rail Safety
Sub-program 3.3.3: Rail Safety Awareness and Grade Crossing Improvement

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 RSIP consists of two key components:

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

Through this Program we fund:

• Safety improvements to existing rail lines;
• Closures of grade crossings; and
• Initiatives to raise awareness about rail safety issues across Canada.

This new Program also includes our former Grade Crossing Improvement, Grade Crossing Closure and Operation Lifesaver Programs.

• Increased awareness of grade crossing and trespassing hazards;
• Adoption of new technology to improve rail safety;
• Adoption of safe practices at road/railway grade crossings and on railway property; and
• Safer railway grade crossings, rail lines and rail property.

In 2017-18, we achieved the following results for the two components of the RSIP:

• For the Infrastructure, Technology and Research (ITR) components, of the 153 approved projects, 69 were completed, 50 are still ongoing, and 34 projects (all under ITR) did not start due to the below-noted reasons; and
• For the Public Education and Awareness (E&A) components, nine projects were approved (one national and eight regional/local). Of these seven projects are currently ongoing, and two projects will commence in fiscal year 2018-19.

The variance of $5,269,740 is largely due to:

• Project delays or cancellations due to implementation complications or weather conditions;
• Delays in signing agreements; and
• Not issuing a second E&A call for projects proposals as the remaining unspent E&A dollars would not have been sufficient to undertake a second request for project proposals.

None

Not Applicable – New program

Not Applicable – New program

2019-20 (Under consideration for inclusion in our five-year plan)

Eligible recipients for both components of this Program include:

• Provinces, territories, municipalities, and local governments;
• Road/transit authorities and Crown corporations;
• For-profit and not-for-profit organizations;
• Indigenous groups, communities and organizations; and
• Individuals.

These include:

• Quarterly conference calls with key recipients, our website and RSIP outreach activities; and
• Community outreach through electronic communications, social media and targeted presentations (i.e., to the Railway Association of Canada).

Grants and Contributions to Support CleanTransportation Initiatives (voted)

2011-12

2018-19

Contributions

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2011-12

A clean transportation system

Program 2.1: Clean Air from Transportation
Sub-program 2.1.2: Clean Air Initiatives

The Grants and Contributions Program to Support Clean Transportation Initiatives provides transfer payment funding through three initiatives, namely the:

• Clean Rail Academic Grant Program;
• Clean Transportation Initiative on Port-Related Trucking; and
• Shore Power Technology for Ports Program.

Clean Transportation technologies are available to users.

Under the three components of this initiative, we achieved the following in:

1. Clean Rail Academic Grant Program - Clean transportation technologies (ex. alternative fuels, lighter materials):
   • Accelerated the development of clean technologies for the rail industry; which enabled the rail industry to better comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
2. Clean Transportation Initiative on Port-Related Trucking:
   • Completed the remaining Port-Trucking project, the Common Data Interface (CDI) with the Port of Vancouver as of March 31, 2018.
   • All projects under the Truck Reservations Systems Program (TSRP) are completed in full.
3. Shore Power Technology for Ports Program:
   • Completed two of the three remaining shore power technology projects, namely at the:
     • Port of Montreal for cruise and container ships; and
     • Port of Vancouver's Centerm terminal for container ships; and
   • Continued construction at the Port of Vancouver's Deltaport container terminal for the installation of shore power technologies. We expect this final project to be completed by March 31, 2019.

The variance of $2,235,682 is largely due to:

• Project delays due to implementation complications or weather conditions.

No audit was completed during the reporting period.

2014-15

Evaluation findings support the renewal and continuation of the initiatives, and suggested that consideration be given to expanding the reach of transfer payment programs to implement other new technologies.

2017-18

These include:

• The Clean Rail Academic Grant Program: Non-profit organizations (e.g., support for ongoing research programs at Canadian universities);
• The Clean Transportation Initiative on Port-Related Trucking: Industry-related (e.g., port authorities, terminal operators, trucking operators); and provinces;
• The Shore Power Technology for Ports Program: Industry-related (e.g., Canadian Port Authorities and owners and/or operators of marine ports and terminals in Canada.).

• Held formal consultation sessions across Canada and meetings with port authorities, terminal operators, trucking operators, industry associations, other supply chain participants, and provinces;
• Provided online applications and guidance material;
• Posted service standards on our website; and
• Conducted ongoing outreach and engagement activities with industry and the provinces/territories to explain objectives and eligibility requirements for initiatives.

Grant to the Province of British Columbia in respect of the provision of ferry and coastal freight and passenger services

April 18, 1977

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

Not applicable “named grant”

An efficient transportation system

Program 1.3: Transportation Infrastructure
Sub-program 1.3.2: Marine Infrastructure
Sub-sub-program 1.3.2.3: Ferry Services Stewardship Support

The grant to the Province of British Columbia gives financial assistance to provide ferry services in the waters of the province as part of a federal obligation to provide transportation links to the national transportation system from various regions and isolated areas of British Columbia.

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

The grant is efficiently managed and is supportive of departmental outcomes (i.e., an efficient transportation system).

The grant is indexed annually to the rate of inflation for the City of Vancouver. Therefore, the variance is a result of the fluctuation in the rate of inflation between the forecast and actual payment required for 2017-18.

No audit was completed during the reporting period.

2016-17

Continuation

2021-22 (under consideration for inclusion in our five-year evaluation plan)

Provinces and Territories - Province of British Columbia

There are no provisions that require the recipient to provide financial or performance information to federal government as per the terms of the agreement.

Northumberland Strait Crossing subsidy payment under the Northumberland Strait Crossing Act (Statutory)

May 31, 1997

April 1, 2032

Contribution

Northumberland Strait Crossing Subsidy Payment under the Northumberland Strait Crossing Act (S.C., 1993, c. 43)

The terms and conditions have not been reviewed since the commencement of the Program, as there is a contractual agreement between the Government of Canada and Strait Crossing Development Inc.

An efficient transportation system

Program 1.3: Transportation Infrastructure
Sub-program 1.3.3: Surface and Multimodal Infrastructure
Sub-Sub-program 1.3.3.2: Bridge Stewardship

The Northumberland Strait Crossing receives annual payments from the Government of Canada to fund the management, operation and maintenance of the bridge to honour a constitutional obligation to provide a transportation link between Prince Edward Island and the mainland Canada.

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.

Federal funding was 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.

No variances

No evaluation was completed during the reporting period, given the contractual agreement between the Government of Canada and Strait Crossing Inc.

The program has not been evaluated given the exclusion of statutory payments from evaluation coverage requirement.

Not applicable

There is no intention to conduct an evaluation given the exclusion of statutory payments from evaluation coverage requirement.

Industry-related (The contractual agreement is between the Government of Canada and Strait Crossing Development Inc., a private company).

Not applicable.

Ports Asset Transfer Program

2015

March 31, 2020

Grant and Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2015–16

An efficient transportation system

Program 1.3: Transportation Infrastructure
Sub-program 1.3.2: Marine Infrastructure
Sub-Sub-program 1.3.2.4: Port Operations

The Ports Asset Transfer Program was developed to facilitate the transfer of remaining Transport Canada administered local port facilities to new owners. Ports can be acquired through sales or divestiture of the facility. Divestiture arrangements can include grant or contribution incentives to interested. Grant funding at transfer is available only to provinces or municipalities. As of March 31, 2018, there were 46 ports remaining in Transport Canada's inventory.

At the end of the program, Transport Canada's role as port owner and operator is reduced.

Three (3) ports, Terrenceville, QC, Berens-River, ON and Sandspit, BC have been approved for demolition. The lands making up these ports will be reverted to the province.

An agreement has been reached with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for the transfer of the Port of Carleton.

Pre-transfer funding agreements were signed with five interested parties.

Negotiations are ongoing with third parties interested in acquiring ports including with the Province of Quebec.

The $73 million variance was due to updated timelines for transfer negotiations .These funds will be spent in future years.

No audit was completed during the reporting period.

No evaluation was completed.

Not applicable

Not applicable.

This Program is open to public and private entities interested in acquiring a port. To date, the greatest interest has come from municipalities and current users of the ports.

As part of the engagement phase, we have:

• 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 with a particular emphasis on keeping Indigenous groups informed on the status of ports in their areas.

Outaouais Road Agreement

January 7, 1972

Ongoing (until all planned projects are completed)

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2009-10

An efficient Transportation System

Program 1.3: Transportation Infrastructure;
Sub-program 1.3.3: Surface and intermodal infrastructure;
Sub-sub-program 1.3.3.3: Highway and other transportation infrastructure support

The Outaouais Road Agreement provides contributions to the Government of Quebec for highway improvements made to enhance overall efficiency and promote safety, while encouraging regional and industrial development and tourism in the National Capital Region.

Advancement of capital projects included in the Outaouais Road Agreement. The principal project for forecasted spending in 2017-18 is the Highway 5 project.

No new projects were initiated in 2017-2018.

The projects completed to date have enhanced the safety and the efficiency of the Outaouais road network.

A significant delay occurred due to design issues in Phase 3 of the A-5 project. As a result, project costs were lower than forecasted.

No audit was completed during the reporting period.

2008–2009

Continuation

2018-2019

The Government of Quebec is the sole eligible recipient under the Outaouais Road Agreement.

The Province of Quebec solicits funding from the federal government for eligible projects under this agreement. An agreement management committee is responsible for the management and administration of the agreement.

Remote Passenger Rail Program^{Footnote 1}

May 20, 2004

March 31, 2019

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2013–14

An efficient transportation system

Program 1.3: Transportation Infrastructure
Sub-program 1.3.3: Surface and Multimodal Infrastructure
Sub-sub-program 1.3.3.1: Rail Passenger Stewardship and Support program

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.

Continued availability of safe, reliable, viable and sustainable passenger rail services to serve the needs of certain remote communities.

Funding for capital projects for ongoing railway rehabilitation and equipment purchases was provided to Keewatin Railway Company and Tshiuetin Transportation Inc. to ensure their passenger rail lines remained safe and reliable. Funding was also provided to Tshiuetin Transportation Inc. for operating expenditures related to their passenger rail service.

The variance of $1,169,544 is largely due to:

• Project delays due to implementation complications or weather conditions.

Tshiuetin rail transportation Inc. was audited. The audit was completed in May 2017.

2017-18

Continuation

2022-2023

The targeted recipient is:

• Remote passenger rail operators

Activities to engage applicants and recipients include:

• Dialogue and ongoing relationships, consistent with the related contribution agreements and requirements for regular progress reports;
• Site visits;
• Management Committee and regular meetings (in-person and by telephone).

Program to Protect Canada's Coastlines and Waterways (Oceans Protection Plan)

April 1, 2017

March 31, 2022

Grant and Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2016-17

CR2: Green and Innovative Transportation System

Protecting Oceans and Waterways

The Program's objective is to strengthen the safety of Canada's marine transportation system and protect Canada's coastlines and waterways, which aligns with our strategic outcome of providing Canada with a clean marine transportation system. More specifically, it aims to:

• Protect Canada's coasts and waterways from hazards;
• Support safer marine operations in the North and protect northern communities from marine pollution incidents; and
• Increase the participation of Canadians in the marine sector, particularly Indigenous, coastal and local communities.

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.

We also expect this Program to 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.

In 2017-18, we achieved the following:

• For the Safety Equipment and Basic Marine Infrastructure for Northern Communities Initiative, we engaged potential applicants to provide information on the Initiative, in anticipation of a first call for proposals early in 2018-19;
• We launched the Marine Training Program (MTP) and signed our first MTP contribution agreement, namely a contribution agreement with the Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium. This three-year agreement is aimed at increasing the marine labour force in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Nunavik region of Quebec, by creating opportunities for underrepresented groups within the marine sector (e.g., women, Indigenous peoples, Inuit, etc.); and
• Under the Abandoned Boats Program, we awarded the first round of funding to more than a dozen organizations to assess and remove abandoned boats and to fund education and research projects.

Not Applicable

No audit was completed during the reporting period.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Under consideration for inclusion in our five-year evaluation plan

The targeted recipients are:

• Provinces and territories, including provincial- and territorially-owned entities;
• Municipalities, including municipally-owned entities, and local and regional governments;
• Indigenous communities and entities;
• Canada Port authorities;
• For-profit private organizations;
• Not-for-profit private organizations (e.g., St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation);
• Public sector organizations;
• Academia; and
• Individuals.

Initiatives include:

• The Program is posted on our website;
• Information sessions were held to promote the Program and engage with potential recipients; and
• A number of calls for proposals were issued during the initial year of the program and more are planned in future years.