No. H160/01
For release December 21, 2001

FOUR TRANSPORTATION - 
RELATED ACTS RECEIVE ROYAL ASSENT

OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced that four transportation-related acts received Royal Assent, December 18, 2001.

"I am pleased to announce these acts have received Royal Assent," said Mr. Collenette. "This once again demonstrates our commitment to maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system for all Canadians."

The four acts are:

• Bill C-44, which amends the Aeronautics Act, will enhance the ability of Canadian air carriers to work with their international partners, in particular the United States, to take steps towards further deterring and detecting terrorists. The Bill allows air carriers to provide basic passenger and crew data to foreign governments, in accordance with the Aeronautics Act and regulations.
• Bill C-38 amends the Air Canada Public Participation Act to eliminate the 15 per cent limit on ownership, by any person, of voting shares in Air Canada and the prohibition on the association between shareholders. The changes will provide Air Canada a key tool to help it regain its financial health.
• Bill C-34, the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada Act. This creates a transportation appeal tribunal that will replace and expand on the existing Civil Aviation Tribunal by extending its jurisdiction to cover rail and marine.
• Bill S-33, an Act to amend the Carriage by Air Act. This legislation removes the limits on carrier liability for the injury or death of a passenger and describes the limits related to the damage, loss or delay of baggage or cargo during international air transportation.

In 2001, four other transportation-related acts received Royal Assent. They are:

• The Canada Shipping Act, 2001, (November 1, 2001) modernizes shipping and navigation for the entire marine community to operate in a safer, more efficient, environmentally sound manner. The Bill also contains amendments to the Shipping Conferences Exemption Act, 1987, with a view to keeping Canada's legislation for ocean shipping lines harmonized with the legislation of its major trading partners.
• The Marine Liability Act, (May 10, 2001) provides a uniform method for establishing liability that balances the interests of shipowners and passengers and is applicable to all incidents governed by Canadian maritime law.
• Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Transport Act, 1987, (June 14, 2001) will improve truck and bus safety and promote greater efficiency in the Canadian motor carrier industry through implementation of a safety performance regime based on the National Safety Code.
• Amendments to the Blue Water Bridge Authority Act, (May 10, 2001) update the borrowing limits of the Blue Water Bridge Authority and stipulate that all borrowing transactions be subject to approval by the Minister of Finance on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport.

It is anticipated that the following pieces of legislation, among others, will be addressed by the House of Commons in 2002:

• Bill C-42, the Public Safety Act, which will strengthen the Government of Canada's ability to ensure the safety of Canadians, to prevent terrorist attacks and to respond quickly should a significant threat arise, is now at the Second Reading stage in the House of Commons.
• Legislation to create a new Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, which will result in a consistent and integrated air transport security system across Canada, will be introduced. The proposed Authority, announced by the government in the December 10 budget, will be a federal entity and will report to the Minister of Transport.
• A Canada Airports Act is currently being developed. It will articulate in legislation certain elements of the National Airports Policy, while addressing new and emerging issues which have arisen since that policy was announced in 1994.

"The impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks continues to be felt in Canada and around the world." added Mr. Collenette. "In spite of the tragic developments, we have carried on with important transportation-related business and have made progress in many areas."

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Contact: 

Anthony Polci,
Director of Communications,
Office of the Minister, Ottawa,
(613) 991-0700

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