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As Minister of Transport, I am pleased to present Transport Canada’s 2014–15 Report on Plans and Priorities, an overview of the department’s main priorities by strategic outcomes, programs and planned/expected results.
The Government of Canada works to protect Canadians and make their communities safe, while improving and strengthening Canada’s economy. For Transport Canada, this means maintaining a transportation system that ensures the efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of goods and people while fostering an overall culture of safety.
In the coming year, the department will focus on five goals to support a safe, efficient and clean transportation system:
First, we will refine and strengthen Transport Canada’s safety and security oversight. The department will work with the transportation industry to implement consistent oversight guidelines across all transportation modes. By having these guidelines in place, Canadians will have confidence that the transportation system meets the highest standards for safety and is inspected regularly. These guidelines will also let them know that everyone involved in the transportation system is taking appropriate actions to maintain safety. The department will also improve risk-assessment tools and strengthen the recruitment and training of inspectors, technical experts and regulators.
The safety of our communities is paramount for the Government of Canada. The terrible events of Lac-Mégantic, in which 47 people perished, demonstrated why we must continue to improve our systems of rail safety and transportation of dangerous goods. While statistics show that Canada still has some of the safest such systems in the world, there is more we can do so that the few accidents that do occur do not result in tragic consequences. We will base our action on three fundamental elements of transportation safety: prevention, preparedness and response, and liability and compensation.
Second, we will ensure Canada’s transportation network contributes to the government’s Responsible Resource Development agenda, supporting economic growth while protecting our environment. We will implement a world-class tanker safety system to protect our citizens, our industry and our environment from potential oil spills by making sure we have properly assessed the risks and are taking the actions needed to respond quickly and effectively, should an incident occur. The department will also work with its partners to research transportation infrastructure in the North and support Arctic development.
We will also improve critical transportation infrastructure to support trade and Canada’s competitiveness in the global economy. Transport Canada will advance the Detroit River International Crossing project, and help ensure Canada’s Pacific and Atlantic gateways and corridors continue to operate in an efficient, reliable and effective manner. This will include Beyond the Border Action Plan initiatives related to cross-border transportation.
We will also ensure that Transport Canada’s policies and programs position the transportation system to meet future demands and challenges. The department will continue to review air and marine transportation policies, programs and regulations to balance the needs of the transportation sector with social, economic and environmental objectives. It will also promote good governance in Crown corporations and other arms-length entities in its portfolio, and implement long-term strategies for Transport Canada-owned airports and ports.
Finally, we will strive to adopt the Government of Canada’s efficiency and renewal measures. Transport Canada will work to achieve excellence in public service by engaging employees in the Blueprint 2020 initiative to develop the future public service, improving the management of employee performance and business processes, and enhancing information management systems to better deliver programs and services.
Over the coming year, we will continue to deliver on our core mandate, while supporting the government's overall priorities to promote long-term growth, job creation and economic prosperity. As Minister, I am confident that we will accomplish these objectives and continue to serve Canadians.
The Honourable Lisa Raitt, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Transport