Council of Ministers responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety

The Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety will meet on May 14, 1999 in Ottawa, ON to discuss a number of transportation issues of national significance.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND TRANSPORTATION TABLE

Ministers will discuss the activities of the Transportation Table on climate change.

The Transportation Table was created in 1998 to consider how Canada's transportation sector can contribute to addressing Canada's commitments to the 1997 Framework Convention on Climate Change (the "Kyoto Accord"). The Kyoto Accord calls on Canada to reduce emissions by six per cent from 1990 levels over a five-year period beginning in 2008. The Transportation Table is one of a number of sectoral issue tables which will contribute to the national response to this target.

The Transportation Table process involves participants from across the country's transportation sector who have been considering options to be considered for inclusion in the sector's response to this target. The Transportation Table's options will be finalized later this year for consideration as part of the national strategy on climate change.

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT STRATEGY

A presentation will be provided to Ministers outlining the need for a National Transportation Investment Strategy which would provide long term funding for transportation.

Provincial and Territorial Ministers will discuss the need for the federal government to commit in the 2000/01 budget to significant funding for a National Transportation Investment Strategy with a National Highway Program as a major component. The need for a partnership between the federal government, provinces and territories to preserve the current infrastructure, help the growing economy support our social programs, improve domestic productivity and enhance international competitiveness will be part of the discussion.

GRAIN TRANSPORTATION REFORM

Ministers will discuss Justice Estey's final report on grain handling and transportation as well as stakeholder comments on the report. Ministers will also discuss possible next steps towards implementing Justice Estey's vision to ensure that Canada has a more efficient, accountable and reliable transportation and handling system that meets the needs of farmers and customers.

YEAR 2000 PREPAREDNESS OF THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR

Ministers will receive a brief outline of the activities undertaken by Transport Canada with respect to the Year 2000 problem, and will discuss progress toward Year 2000 readiness. Ministers will identify areas, if any, which may require increased attention to ensure Year 2000 readiness.

Bill C-77 - AMENDMENTS TO MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSPORT ACT (MVTA)

Ministers will discuss the MVTA bill, introduced on March 25, 1999 that proposed amendments affecting the carrier safety performance regime for heavy vehicles (trucks and busses), and economic deregulation of the bus industry.

AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY INTERVENTION SERVICES

Ministers will discuss the proposed amendments to the Canadian Aviation Regulations addressing specific emergency response standards at all non-designated airports that serve commercial passenger aircraft.