Transport Review For Invitees Only: ‘Can’t Meet Everybody’

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Transport Canada will not hold any public hearings on a far-reaching policy review, an official says. The department is considering recommendations to privatize airports; allow more foreign ownership of airlines; cut VIA Rail subsidies and eliminate the last regulated freight rates for railways.

“They will not be open, public conversations,” said Ellen Burack, department director general of environmental policy. “There will be an opportunity for dialogue with experts.”

The statutory review of the Canada Transportation Act released February 25 proposed sweeping changes to federal regulations. Testifying at the Senate energy committee, Burack said cabinet consultations will remain confidential.

“Of course the Minister can’t sit down with every Canadian to have this conversation,” Burack said. “I am wise enough to know he can’t meet with every single Canadian,” replied Senator Richard Neufeld (Conservative-B.C.), chair of the committee. “I appreciate you reminding me.”

“Is there a list of places where they are going to consult with Canadians, or is that all kept quiet?” Neufeld said; “I’m disappointed it won’t be open to Canadians because that’s what I understand it was. This is obviously a huge issue moving forward.”

The review Pathways: Connecting Canada’s Transportation System To The World, written by former industry minister David Emerson, is the first of its kind in fifteen years. Pathways proposals included:

  • Eliminating $1 billion a year in airport rents paid by carriers; • Selling federally-owned airports in London, Prince George, Charlottetown, Fredericton, Saint John and Gander;
  • Privatizing larger airports at Toronto and Vancouver subject to anti-trust provisions of the Competition Act; 
  • Raising current 25% foreign ownership limits on commercial carriers to 49 percent, and 100 percent for all-freight and specialty air services; 
  • Cutting VIA Rail subsidies outside Ontario and Québec, effectively doubling some fares; 
  • Abolishing Maximum Revenue Entitlement caps on grain shipments by Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Railway, the last elements of freight rate regulation.

“The Minister of Transport has said he is going to consult with Canadians, industries and provinces about a plan,” Senator Neufeld told committee hearings; “What is going to impact on Fred and Martha at the end of the day? It’s the taxpayer that will pay the bill.”

“All those costs migrate down to Fred and Martha, and they will be paying,” Neufeld said. “That’s what we want to find out. I’m a little disappointed the Minister of Transportation is not going to meet with average Canadians.”

Transport Minister Marc Garneau did not comment. Garneau earlier told the Commons that Pathways would determine transport policy for “the next twenty years”.