Notes for an address by the Honourable Lawrence Cannon Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Standing Committee for Transport, Infrastucture and Communities

Ottawa, Ontario
June 1, 2006

Check Against Delivery

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today.

I am happy to be accompanied today by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Louis Ranger, and the Deputy Head of Infrastructure Canada, Mr. André Juneau.

There are a number of officials in the room today to lend support for some of the more technical questions, as well.

I'm looking forward to working with all of you.

Some of you served on this committee in the last Parliament.

But for many of us, this is a new challenge.

And in a way, we're all new to this committee. Because the mandate of this committee has expanded to encompass new issues.

As you can expect, I was delighted to see that transportation, infrastructure and communities would all be included in my responsibilities.

It simply makes sense to me that these three areas be combined, because of the way that they affect our economic well-being and quality of life.

This committee will be expected to review policies, programs and legislation that will make a big difference to communities, to businesses, and to travellers right across this country.

In the time I have before you today, I would like to do three things. First, I want to tell you about how I intend to fulfill my responsibilities as Minister and how I hope to work with this committee. Second, I want to reference some of the commitments that we have already made and legislative proposals that we will be bringing forward in the coming months. And third, I want to give you some opening thoughts on my approach to the work that lies ahead. 

How we should work together

I hope to actively collaborate with this committee as we meet challenges in transportation, infrastructure and communities during this session in Parliament.

From my previous experience in other levels of government, I know that the key to success is collaboration. Working in partnerships is the only way to achieve success in a democratic society - and the smart thing to do in a minority Parliament.

I do not have any illusions about the process we are embarking on. I know there will be intense debates over challenges and priorities. In fact, I look forward to those debates. I know that important issues are usually complex, and all sides must be heard if we are going to make smart decisions.

That means we must respect the points of view of others and seek common ground to help us move forward. 

Working with this committee

This committee has, in the past, provided valuable input and direction to previous governments.

For example, in one of its most recent reports, this committee had this to say about Air Liberalization and the Canadian Airports System.  It stated:

"The Committee heard from many stakeholders that they favoured an opening up  - [of Canada's International Air Bilateral Agreements] - so that they would be more in line with what Canada has negotiated with the United States and with what may be negotiated with the U.S. in the future."

In harmony with those sentiments, we doubled our efforts to negotiate and sign an Open Skies agreement with the United Kingdom, Canada's second-largest market. 

The agreement has been welcomed by all stakeholders, a tribute to the thinking that went into the committee's excellent work. I have tasked my officials to aggressively explore opportunities for further liberalization and to develop a new international air policy to guide our future negotiations.

I have also read with interest the committee's views on airport governance and you will find those comments reflected in the airport legislation that we intend to table shortly.

The committee also commented on the need to ensure that unfunded regulations were not downloaded onto small and regional airports. 

I want you to know that the former government's proposed Canadian Aviation Regulation 308 - or CAR 308, as it's commonly known - which would have required small airports to meet strict emergency response requirements, is being repealed, and the regulation for larger airports revised.

Merging the two levels of aircraft firefighting service into one regulation will provide comprehensive emergency response while removing the financial burden from less busy airports.

On another front, comments by past members of this committee on Bills attempting to amend the Canada Transportation Act have suggested that former legislation was too bulky or too 'omnibus', if you will. 

I have listened to, and agreed with these concerns. As you are aware, my first Bill, which you are currently studying - Bill C-3, the International Bridges and Tunnels Act,- is based on Clause 63 of the former Bill C-44. 

The fact that I have separated out a high priority clause for quick passage is based on comments made in the last Parliament. It shows this government's willingness to work closely with this committee to pass effective legislation.

 We have also tabled amendments to the Canada Transportation Act pertaining to commuter rail, urban rail corridors and railway noise that had the support of this committee as well as other Members of Parliament.

Bill C-11 was tabled on May 4th and I hope that these amendments will receive expedited consideration.

Our commitments and proposals

Priorities

As you know, Prime Minister Harper has established five priorities for the mandate of this government.

This focused agenda reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to Canadians. Like all my colleagues, I believe that a sharp focus on clear priorities will allow us to get the right things done.

We will work to make real, concrete moves to improve the safety and well-being of our families and communities.

 The choice of five priorities doesn't mean that we've forgotten the other commitments we made in our platform.  Or that we will not make decisions in other areas or listen to other needs expressed by citizens or other governments.

Indeed, we will, and already are, delivering on a number of commitments in the areas of transportation, infrastructure and communities.

The Budget

Our first budget made clear our commitment to these areas.

I want to point out some of the global investments that will have an impact on this portfolio, on this committee, and on the lives of millions of Canadians.

Over the next four years, this government will invest an unprecedented total of $16.5 billion in new infrastructure initiatives.

We will provide more than $8.5 billion in new federal funding for the Highways and Border Infrastructure Fund, the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Public Transit Capital Trust and the Pacific Gateway Initiative.

We government will maintain the estimated $3.9 billion in current funding under existing infrastructure initiatives.

And we will maintain the existing gas tax funding commitment under the New Deal for Cities and Communities, and the full GST rebate and the federal portion of the HST paid by municipalities. These tax measures amount to $7.1billion in support for our cities and municipalities over the next four years.

A strong economy depends, in a large part, on the confidence of both businesses and consumers in the safety and security of the transportation system, as well as the security of other types of infrastructure, including safe and clean water.

Consequently, I am pleased that the budget included $1.4 billion for enhanced national security including over $250 million to improve rail and transit security, improve aviation screening and begin to tackle the issue of air cargo security.

Current work

The budget measures add to what my portfolio is already doing in this area.

We're investing more than $27 million for 41 new projects at airports right across Canada, including our northern airports, to enhance their safety under the Government of Canada's 2006-07 Airports Capital Assistance Program.

I also had the pleasure of recently announcing that Canada has not only met, but has exceeded, the standard set by the International Civil Aviation Organization to address the risks associated with explosives in checked baggage.

Ladies and gentlemen, there's one thing that is certain - and something, I believe, that Budget 2006 reflects - this government has not been sitting still.

In our cities and communities

I have spoken to you about our legislative initiatives and I have outlined Budget initiatives that will have a real and lasting effect upon this portfolio. But we have also taken actions that will affect Canadians in their cities and towns. To mention a few, they include:

• Our signing of an agreement with Alberta to launch the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund - a joint initiative that will help contribute to a better quality of life for the people of Alberta. The federal and provincial governments will each contribute $88 million.
• We have signed an agreement with British Columbia, and are providing up to $62.5 million to replace the Park Bridge, upgrade approach curves, and construct and realign over 5 kilometres of a new four-lane highway east of Golden, in the Kicking Horse Canyon.
• And finally, last month I also proposed a review of the National Capital Commission's mandate.

Moving forward - an integrated approach

Honourable Members, the measures I've been speaking about today represent some of the most important investments the federal government has ever made in the competitiveness and sustainability of Canada's economy, and the quality of life in our cities and communities.

We will not stop there, because meeting our objectives will require much more than money.

Transportation, infrastructure and communities really are a point of convergence for some of the most important issues facing Canada today.

And this portfolio provides a new foundation on which to build new approaches for the long term.

In an era when global supply chain management drives the economic success of nations, integrated and efficient transportation systems are a crucial element in economic productivity. 

When car parts can be manufactured in several different areas of the world and assembled in another, having smooth-running, reliable and integrated transportation options can be the difference between new jobs and job losses.

Within our borders, we must look at the transportation systems and the infrastructure required to support them as an integrated whole - reaching from the heart of our cities, through corridors and networks that span our country, to borders, ports and airports that link us to the rest of the world - the gateways that support our trade-based economy.

We understand, for example, our responsibility for federal policies and legislation that underpin the national transportation system. Getting them right matters for competitiveness. This government has already begun to make progress on the legislative front.

We also understand the need for integrated and coherent policies. For example, we must do a better job of clearly articulating the connections between the changing world economy, our policy responses, and our various investments in support of those policies.

We also understand that Canadians expect much more from their national government on accountability. 

Through the Budget, the government has also tasked me with leading discussions with provincial and territorial governments that will help define the federal role in infrastructure, with a view to putting federal funding on a predictable, long-term track, and to ensuring accountability to Canadians for infrastructure investments by all governments.

To carry out these important tasks, I will need to be very clear about how the pieces fit together - the extensive responsibilities of my portfolio, the considerable new resources identified in our Budget, and the opportunities to achieve real results. I'd like to share with this Committee my approach to the mandate of this new portfolio, my starting point for moving forward. It has four main elements:

• First, a firm recognition that the challenges are rooted in the realities of the world around us - inescapable dynamics like globalization, demographic change, urbanization, and pressures to improve our economy's productivity, and its sustainability, while ensuring the security of our citizens.
• Second, responding to these broad imperatives, a set of strategic priorities on which action is required and a strong federal role is justified, and for which my portfolio is entrusted with important tools. I am talking about economic competitiveness, quality of life, our environment, the safety of our communities, and accountability to Canadians.
• Third, and most importantly, practical and specific measures in four inter-related areas: sustainable infrastructure, transportation gateways and trade corridors, transportation security, and strong communities

And finally, all of these new actions, as well as the crucial, ongoing work of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, will be supported by a foundation of sound management, focused and effective government, respect for jurisdiction, and a range of new measures to ensure transparency and accountability.

As I mentioned earlier, I will be seeking input on how to implement these commitments. And I will be seeking to build meaningful partnerships to help us move forward on them.

I intend to initiate these discussions when I address the annual general meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in Montreal on June 4th. 

I look forward to the discussions that will follow and to working with my counterparts in provincial, territorial and municipal governments, with my cabinet and caucus and with all of you.

Over the coming weeks and months, I will have the opportunity to bring forward specific items included in the Budget.  I will also bring forward legislation to advance the efficiency, safety, security and sustainability of the transportation system. 

We will modernize some statutes, and address gaps in others. The common objective will be to build on the vitality of our cities and communities, and use our transportation system to make Canada more competitive in a global economy.

Conclusion

In closing, I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today about the vision I have for this portfolio and the great work that lies ahead for us.

It is my hope that, as committee members, you will see your own work and ideas reflected back at you as this government moves forward on transportation, infrastructure and communities' priorities. We will have many opportunities for concrete improvements.

Until then, thank you for listening. I will be listening to you as well.

Therefore, I would like to now turn to any questions you may have.