As Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, I am proud of our efforts to ensure safe, secure, clean and efficient transportation, both in Canada and around the world, and to present to Parliament Transport Canada’s Report on Plans and Priorities for 2013-2014.
Our focus over the coming year will be to continue to deliver on our core mandate while supporting the Government’s overall priorities that promote growth, job creation and economic prosperity.
In 2013-14, we will work to accomplish five main goals:
Refine and strengthen Transport Canada’s oversight function to improve transportation safety and security. Recognising how important this is to the department’s role, we will apply risk-based inspection planning/reporting and enforcement regimes more consistently across all modes of transport, and enhance training for our inspectors and technical experts to ensure they have and maintain the skills and competencies they need. As a world leader in supporting aviation safety, Transport Canada will also fully implement its Civil Aviation Safety Program Action Plan.
Ensure that our critical infrastructure is safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible. Building on the breadth of investments and progress made to improve Canada’s roads, bridges, road, rail, air and marine infrastructure under the Economic Action Plan, Transport Canada will set up the Canadian Crossing Authority to implement the new Windsor-Detroit crossing. We will also take the next steps, including completion of the environmental assessment, towards building a new bridge over the St. Lawrence to replace the Champlain Bridge in Montreal, and continue with Beyond the Border Action Plan joint initiatives with the United States that facilitate cross-border travel, trade and security.
Ensure that Transport Canada’s policies, programs and activities will meet the needs of the transportation system in the long term through policy renewal. We have already made progress in this regard, notably in developing new regulations and legislation, such as the Fair Freight Rail Service Act introduced in December 2012, which will help shippers maintain and grow their businesses while ensuring that railways can manage an efficient shipping network for everyone.
Develop and implement initiatives to contribute to the Government’s Responsible Resource Development agenda. We will actively contribute to this initiative by reducing red tape and strengthening tanker vessels inspection requirements.
Implement planned efficiencies as announced in the Economic Action Plan 2012. By reducing administrative overhead, consolidating and streamlining programs and resources and transforming how we work internally, we will make it easier for Canadians and business to deal with their government.
As Minister, I am confident, given the commitment of our employees, that we will both accomplish these objectives and uphold the trust that Canadians place in the department.
The Honourable Denis Lebel, P.C., M.P.,
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities