OTTAWA UPDATE
Tom Oommen,
Director
Highway, Border, Motor Carrier Policy,
Transport Canada
October 23, 2013
Overview
1. New Minister
2. Economic Update
3. Progress on Beyond the Border
4. Other Priorities
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NEW MINISTER
• Minister Lisa Raitt
• Appointed July 2013
• Formerly Minister of Natural
Resources
• Former President and CEO
of Toronto Port Authority
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ECONOMIC UPDATE
• Canadian economic expansion moderate:
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2013 GDP: 1.7% increase (forecast)
YTD Exports: 0.8% increase from 2012
YTD Imports: 0.5% increase from 2012
In 2012, road transport accounted for 45% of
exports to the U.S. ($152 billion) and 75% of
imports ($215 billion).
• Canada and the European Union reached
an agreement in principle on a
comprehensive trade agreement.
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PROGRESS ON CANADA-U.S. ISSUES
• Binational Executive Steering Committee led by PCO & White House
continues to oversee implementation of Action Plan
• Beyond the Border Progress Report currently being drafted with a
planned release of December
• Transport Canada is engaged in nine of 34 initiatives
• BIIP 2.0
• Pre-Clearance Negotiations
• Pre-Inspection Pilot
• Regulatory Cooperative Council
• Progress has been made on 29 initiatives
• An agreement was reached between Transport Canada and the U.S. Department
of Transportation to harmonize certain vehicle safety standards
• Public comment period ended in Canada on October 11
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Other Key Priorities
Rail
On July 6th, 2013, a Montreal, Maine & Atlantic train derailed in downtown Lac-Mégantic. Sixty-three (63)
crude oil tank cars ruptured and/or exploded causing 47 fatalities and significant infrastructure damage.
A Transportation Safety Board (TSB) investigation is ongoing, as are similar actions by Transport Canada,
Environment Canada, and the Sûreté du Québec. Results are expected to take several months.
Growing North American oil production and a lack of pipeline capacity continue to drive significant increases
in the movement of oil by rail. As such, community and environmental concerns regarding the safe
transportation of oil by rail are expected to continue.
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Questions?
Tom Oommen
Director, Highway,
Border and Motor
Carrier Policy,
Transport Canada
613-998-0674
tom.oommen@tc.gc.ca
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