Minister's Message

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I am pleased to present the Departmental Performance Report on Transport Canada’s progress with respect to the goals set out in our 201213 Report on Plans and Priorities.

Transport Canada has played a major role in supporting the Government of Canada’s focus on economic growth and implementing the next phase of the Economic Action Plan while never losing sight of our priority—the safety of Canadians.

We have made important investments in transportation infrastructure to supportthe safe and efficient movement of trade and people domestically and internationally. We concluded an agreement between Canada and the State of Michigan to build the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) between Windsor and Detroit. We also moved forward with plans to replace the Champlain Bridge in Montreal with a new bridge for the St. Lawrence, vital for some 60 million vehicles and $20 billion in international trade crossing it annually.  

We improved on existing investments in infrastructure across the country, while promoting international trade, tourism and business in western Canada through the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

To keep our border with the United States secure and vehicles moving seamlessly across it, we have followed through on commitments of the Beyond the Border Action Plan, including an investment of up to $47 million to expand and modernize our border crossing at Lacolle, Quebec, near Montreal.

Development of our resources is important to Canada’s prosperity and can be done while taking care of our environment; that is the Government of Canada’s balanced approach to responsible resource development. Transport Canada is doing its part, by working to strengthen oversight with initiatives such as the world-class tanker safety system

Transport Canada has also worked to make our transportation system more effective, efficient and reliable.  For example, the Fair Rail Freight Service Act, which encourages railways and shippers to negotiate service agreements, became law this year, making the rail system more efficient and Canada more competitive in international trade.

Finally, Transport Canada has continued to streamline its programs and reduce red tape in order to focus on its core role of maintaining a safe, secure, clean and efficient transportation system that Canadians can rely on.

Recent events, such as the tragic derailment in Lac-Mégantic are a sobering reminder that we can always do more to make our transportation system safer. There is nothing more important to my department, and to me, now and for the future.

The Honourable Lisa Raitt, P.C. , M.P.
Minister of Transport

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