Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety

September 28, 2016, TORONTO, Ontario – Recognizing  the important contribution of transportation to economic growth and quality of  life, federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Transportation and  Highway Safety today discussed the future of transportation in Canada, and  reaffirmed their commitment to working together.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of  Transport, provided an update on the work underway since the tabling in  Parliament on February 25, 2016, of the Canada  Transportation Act Review Report, and on the development of a long-term  agenda for the future of transportation in Canada.  "As the transportation system evolves and adapts,  we need to better anticipate and prepare for the changes to come," said  Minister Garneau. "A long-term agenda for transportation in Canada will  position the system to support economic growth, create jobs, promote a  healthier environment, and strengthen Canada's middle class and competitiveness  in global markets."

Ministers agreed on a  number of shared priorities to help to meet challenges, as well as embrace opportunities  that will make advancements towards maintaining, promoting and enhancing safe,  competitive, seamless and sustainable transportation for Canada. These priority  areas for collaboration aim to:

   
• Enhance safety;
   
• Support internal and  international trade corridors;
   
• Improve the traveller  experience;
   
• Address climate change;
   
• Foster innovation; and
   
• Share information.

These key areas form the foundation for  modern and efficient transportation in Canada.   Safety remains a priority for all ministers as they are committed to  pursuing a dialogue on road, rail and marine safety, and traveller experience,  from coast to coast to coast with the public and private sector. Ministers have  agreed to work together to address climate change, including mitigation and  infrastructure adaptation, and provide leadership towards the reduction of  greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.

Ministers underscored their commitment to  improve the efficiency of trade and transportation corridors, including  addressing infrastructure requirements and reducing internal barriers to trade.  Ministers have agreed in principle on amendments to the Memorandum of  Understanding Respecting a Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agreement on Vehicle  Weights and Dimensions. These amendments are in keeping with the agreement for  a new Canadian  Free Trade Agreement announced by Canada's  Premiers in Whitehorse on July 22, 2016.   Ministers discussed further harmonization measures for trucks such as  electronic logging devices, and investing in efficient and seamless trade corridors to bring goods to markets.

Ministers discussed how  governments can leverage new and innovative technologies that have the  potential to enhance the efficiency and safety of transportation in Canada,  such as emerging connected and automated vehicles. "The Ontario government is  committed to working with our federal, provincial and territorial colleagues to  improve the efficiency of our transportation infrastructure," added Minister  Steven Del Duca. "Working together will help innovation and emerging  technologies thrive and provide strong economic opportunities for all  provinces, territories and for Canada."    Ministers also agreed  that evidence-based decision making on transportation should benefit from  shared information and analysis across governments on the capacity and  performance of multimodal transportation.

Delphine Denis
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700
delphine.denis@tc.gc.ca

Media  Relations
Transport  Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

Andrea  Ernesaks
Press  Secretary
Office of the Honourable Steven Del Duca
Ontario's Minister of Transportation
andrea.ernesaks@ontario.ca

Bob Nichols
Ontario Ministry  of Transportation
Communications  Branch
416-327-1158