Feb 21, 2022 | International
The Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, issued this statement today to mark the first annual International Day for Commemorating Air Crash Victims and their Families:
February 20, 2022 Ottawa Transport Canada
The Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, issued this statement today to mark the first annual International Day for Commemorating Air Crash Victims and their Families:
“Today, on the first International Day for Commemorating Air Crash Victims and their Families, we join with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other international partners to stand with the victims and families who have been profoundly affected by air tragedies around the world.
“Those victims and family members have our full support. We grieve with them, and we remember the lives lost.
“Canada has been scarred by the devastation of air tragedies. In 2020, Iran shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (PS752), tragically taking the lives of all 176 innocent people on board, including 55 Canadian citizens, 30 permanent residents, and many others with ties to Canada. The year before, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (ET302) crashed on its way to Nairobi, Kenya, claiming the lives of 157 people, including 18 Canadians and many others with ties to Canada. In 1985, 280 Canadians lost their lives in the terrorist bombing of Air India Flight 182.
“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau proclaimed January 8 as Canada’s National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters. We welcome this opportunity to further commemorate and mourn the victims globally and to support the families left behind.
“We are also working to prevent future tragedies. Through the Safer Skies Initiative, together with our international partners, we are increasing the level of safety and security for commercial airlines in or near conflict zones. The safety and security of travellers is always my number one priority.
“We invite all Canadians to join us in remembering the victims of air tragedies and keeping them in our thoughts.”
Laurel Lennox
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
laurel.lennox@tc.gc.ca
Feb 1, 2022 | International
Global supply chains have been disrupted by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of climate change. Ensuring that Canadians are able to put food on their tables and buy the goods and other critical supplies they need is a top priority for the Government of Canada.
January 31, 2022 Ottawa Transport Canada
Global supply chains have been disrupted by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of climate change. Ensuring that Canadians are able to put food on their tables and buy the goods and other critical supplies they need is a top priority for the Government of Canada.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, the Honourable Mary Ng, the Minister of Labour, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, and the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, hosted a National Supply Chain Summit.
This Summit brought together business and industry leaders and associations to discuss the challenges facing Canada’s supply chain and to identify potential solutions to ensure that what Canadians need reach their households as quickly as possible. A well-functioning supply chain supports good, middle-class jobs and keeps goods moving to Canadians.
Participants for this initial event included a broad representation of Canadian organizations including business associations, manufacturers, exporters associations, as well as chief executive officers of railway, marine, air, trucking and retail companies.
Ministers also announced that over the coming weeks, this Summit will be followed by a series of regional and industry sessions to continue the dialogue.
To further advance this work, a new Supply Chain Task Force will be created. The Task Force will consult with industry experts to make recommendations regarding short and long-term actions pertaining to Canada’s supply chain. In addition, Transport Canada will make available an online portal for stakeholders and businesses to be able to provide opinions and suggestions.
Today, Minister Alghabra announced a new, $50 million targeted call for proposals under the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) to immediately relieve supply chain congestion at Canadian ports, for example by increasing their storage capacity.
Budget 2021 also provided an additional $1.9 billion over four years to recapitalize the National Trade Corridor Fund that makes our supply chain more efficient and supports our economic recovery.
“Resilient and efficient supply chains are not only critical to ensure Canadian companies’ competitiveness, but also for the daily lives of Canadians. We will continue to work with industry to implement practical, innovative, and transformative solutions that will strengthen our supply chains, and enhance the timely movement of goods, materials, and commodities.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“The pandemic has had a huge effect on the labour market, causing worker shortages across many industries, including transportation. These disruptions in the supply chain have a real impact on the daily lives of all Canadians. That’s why our government is making significant, strategic investments to address these shortages, not to simply build back quickly, but to build back better with lasting solutions.”
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
To increase the fluidity of Canada’s supply chain, on December 9, 2021, the Government of Canada launched a call for proposals under the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF). The NTCF funds projects that improve the flow of goods and people in Canada as well as increase the flow of trade in and out of Canada.
The new call accepts expressions of interest until March 31, 2022. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a comprehensive project proposal by June 30, 2022.
In 2020, the value of Canada’s international merchandise trade (imports and exports) was $1.07 Trillion
Wholesale and retail trades account for 10.5% of Canada’s GDP.
Over the past two years, the demand for consumer goods in North America has been higher than the global average by around 5 percentage points (8% as opposed to 3%), which creates more pressure than anywhere else on transportation supply chains.
Canadian manufacturers are particularly vulnerable to shocks and disruptions of global supply chains, as they rely on foreign suppliers for importing crucial inputs and on foreign markets for selling their products.
Marine ports are important supply chain hubs in Canada, handling a diversified range of cargo and connecting coast lines to inland markets where goods are shipped by railways and trucks.
The Port of Vancouver is the largest in Canada and handles $1 of every $3 of Canada’s trade in goods outside of North America.
Through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, funding is available for projects that will help connect Canadians with the training they need to access good jobs in sectors hard-hit by the pandemic as well as in health care and sectors that contribute to the low carbon economy. Organizations can apply until March 18, 2022.
Laurel Lennox
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
Laurel.Lennox@tc.gc.ca
Jun 16, 2021 | International
The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, and the Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, the Honourable David McGuinty will hold a news conference to announce funding to support infrastructure at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.
Ottawa, ONTARIO — The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, and the Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, the Honourable David McGuinty will hold a news conference to announce funding to support infrastructure at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.
Minister Alghabra, Minister McKenna, and Member of Parliament McGuinty will be available to answer questions from the media following the announcement.
Date: June 16, 2021
Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
Location: Hybrid event
In person:
Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport
1000 Airport Parkway Private
Ottawa, ON K1V 9B4
Note: Event will take place on the third level outside the departure level.
Live stream: Transport Canada Facebook page
Note to media:
For media participation on site:
Media are invited to join the event on site. Please comply with local public health guidelines.
For media participation virtually:
Media are invited to email Transport Canada Media Relations at media@tc.gc.ca no later than 8:00 on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, to receive dial-in information.
Allison St-Jean
Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
allison.st-jean@tc.gc.ca
May 25, 2021 | International
In Canada, the May long weekend often marks the start of our boating season. Boating has increased in popularity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in an increase in incidents. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of boaters in Canada—whether for recreational or commercial purposes—very seriously.
May 21, 2021 Ottawa Transport Canada
In Canada, the May long weekend often marks the start of our boating season. Boating has increased in popularity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in an increase in incidents. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of boaters in Canada—whether for recreational or commercial purposes—very seriously.
With the launch of the North American Safe Boating Awareness Week, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, today announced more than $3.6 million in funding for recreational boating safety projects under Canada’s Boating Safety Contribution Program. These projects aim to help Canadians and Indigenous Peoples stay safe on the water by raising public awareness and education of boating safety issues, practices, and behaviours.
The full list of 2021-22 recipients under Canada’s Boating Safety Contribution Program is available online. In addition, Transport Canada is now accepting applications under the Recreational Boating Safety Component for projects that will begin in 2022-23.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, whether you are on a boat or on land, please remember to:
follow the guidance of your local public health authority
continue to take steps to limit the spread of COVID-19
wear a non-medical mask or face covering when physical distancing is not possible
North American Safe Boating Awareness Week is an opportunity to remind all boaters of the importance of boating safely, including wearing a lifejacket, being prepared, making a plan, boating sober, and following COVID-19 public health guidance. The Government of Canada will continue take action and raise awareness to ensure boaters in Canada safely enjoy the boating season.
“North American Safe Boating Awareness Week is an opportunity to reflect on safe boating practices and recognize the work of our partners and stakeholders in promoting safe boating. The recipients of this year’s Boating Safety Contribution Program will provide important awareness and education to help keep our waters safe for all. Boaters: please enjoy boating season on our beautiful waterways safely and responsibly.”
The Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport
Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety supports prevention-based programs and encourages safe boating practices and compliance with safety regulations.
The Recreational Boating Safety component of the Boating Safety Contribution Program funds up to 75% of total eligible project expenditures, up to a maximum of $400,000 per recipient. A total of $1 million is available every year on an ongoing basis.
The Small Vessel Safety component of the Boating Safety Contribution Program funds up to 75% of total eligible project expenditures, up to a maximum of $200,000 per recipient. A total of $2 million is available under the Small Vessel Safety component for the 2021-22 fiscal year for one year only.
The Small Vessel Safety Component is part of the Government of Canada’s response to Recommendation 12 of the Canada Energy Regulator’s (formerly the National Energy Board) Reconsideration Report on the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) project.
Since 2009, the Boating Safety Contribution Program has funded 106 recreational boating safety projects across Canada totalling $14.9 million.
According to the Canadian Red Cross, there are an average of 111 water-related fatalities while boating each year. Nearly 90 per cent of boaters who drowned were not wearing, or not properly wearing, a lifejacket.
Allison St-Jean
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-290-8656
allison.st-jean@tc.gc.ca
