Transcript Ottawa Update

Transportation Border Working Group
Chicago Plenary - Ottawa Update
April 29, 2009
Ted Mackay,
Transport Canada
Agenda
• Canadian Economy and Transportation
• Budget 2009 – Stimulus Plan
• Unprecedented Commitment to Infrastructure
• Gateway Initiatives - Update
• Engaging the New U.S. Administration
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Canadian Economy and Transportation
• Economic decline since early 2008 with GDP growth slowing
to 0.5%
• Difficult to predict the end of the recessionary cycle
• Canada’s is still the U.S.’s top destination for exports and
second only to China as source of imports
• Major declines in both imports and exports due to automotive
sector declines
• Double-digit declines in truck traffic at some border crossings
and an overall 8% decrease for 2008. Rail traffic has also
shown double-digit decreases in forest and cars and parts. 3
Budget 2009 – Stimulus Plan
• $40 billion economic stimulus package (2.5 per cent of GDP)
over two years
• Accelerates and expands federal infrastructure funding
under the $33 billion Building Canada Plan ($12 billion in
new funding over two years).
• New initiatives ($4 Billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, $1B
Green Infrastructure Fund, $1 billion Community Adjustment
Fund)
• Funding to refurbish / upgrade federally-owned infrastructure
($716 million over two years)
4
Land Border Investments Map
• Overview of all major Canadian post-9/11
land border infrastructure investments
(approach roads & plazas)
• Canada has committed $4.5 billion for
border infrastructure since 9/11.
Map Includes:
• Thirty-four (34) project descriptions with
several inset maps
• List of busiest crossings (including
NEXUS/FAST capability)
• Depiction of Canada’s major gateways and
trade corridors
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Gateways and Border Crossings Fund (GBCF)
•
National merit-based fund ($2.1 billion) aimed at improving the flow
of goods and people between Canada and the world by enhancing
infrastructure at strategic locations
• International bridge crossings owned by federal Crown Corporations
have become eligible recipients
• Measures to streamline the project selection criteria and approval
process thereby accelerating infrastructure investments
• Projects announced under the Fund include Detroit-Windsor,
Queenston-Lewiston, the Canadian plaza at Lacolle, some TransCanada highway projects, and Route 1 in New Brunswick
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Canada’s Three Gateway Strategies
Prince Rupert
Vancouver
North America's
closest major ports
to Asia
Asia-Pacific
Gateway and
Corridor Initiative
Halifax
Montreal
Atlantic
Ontario-Québec
Continental Gateway
and Trade Corridor
Gateway
North America's closest
ports to Europe and
ships transiting the Suez
Canal
7
International Bridges and Tunnels Act
• Passed in Parliament in February 2007
• Regulations came into force in February
2009
• Security assessment of international
tunnels and bridges currently underway
• Work will include consultations, site visits,
risk assessments and a comprehensive
security program
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Engaging the New U.S. Administration
• Engagement with the new US Administration a very high
priority for the Canadian Government
• Canada committed to border infrastructure and
management improvements
Recent meetings:
•
•
•
•
•
Obama / Harper (Feb. 2009)
Cannon / Clinton (Feb. 2009)
Baird / LaHood (Mar. 2009)
Van Loan / Napolitano (Mar. 2009)
Lute / Louis Ranger (Apr. 2009)
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Future Considerations: Secure, efficient
and reliable border crossings
1) Integrated management of commercial and passenger traffic at key border
crossings
2) Improved planning and coordination of border infrastructure
3) Closer Canada-US alignment and cooperation on north-south gateways,
corridors, and freight flows
4) Support the adoption of supply chain security measures throughout the
supply chain, to reduce risks and delays at border crossings
5) Harmonize where feasible and effective cross-border processes
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Conclusions
• A secure and efficient Canada-U.S. border is a matter of national and
economic security and will remain a priority in both countries
• Canada continues to make unprecedented investments in
infrastructure, including over $4.5 billion for border infrastructure since
9/11
• Canada continues to develop its strategic gateways and trade
corridors with the Ontario-Québec Continental Gateway and Atlantic
Gateway strategies expected by the fall of 2009
• Bilateral planning and coordination with new U.S. Administration is a
priority for the Government of Canada
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