2005 Annual Report to Parliament - Crown Corporations and Other Corporate Interests of Canada

Transport

Atlantic Pilotage Authority

Corporate Profile

In addition to providing pilotage services, the Atlantic Pilotage Authority (the Authority) with the approval of the Governor in Council makes regulations that prescribe the compulsory pilotage areas; the ships or classes of ships that are subject to compulsory pilotage; when compulsory pilotage may be waived; the tariff rates for pilotage; and the classes of licences and classes of pilotage certificates that may be issued.

Of the 33 pilotage areas in the Atlantic region, 16 are compulsory pilotage areas. The criteria for determining which ports should become compulsory are: the degree of difficulty and hazard in the approaches and within the port itself; the amount of vessel movement and the manoeuvrability of those vessels; the design of wharves and slips; the nature of the cargo; and environmental concerns and the preservation of the ecosystem.

Blue Water Bridge Authority

Corporate Profile

The Blue Water Bridge Authority (BWBA) owns and operates the Canadian half of the Blue Water Bridge, located between Sarnia/Point Edward, Ontario, and Port Huron, Michigan. The American half is owned and operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation. The BWBA was created in 1964 by the Blue Water Bridge Authority Act,and was expected to become a bi-national authority. However, the U.S. has never exercised its option to appoint members, which would have created the bi-national authority. Because all members of the board of directors are appointed by the Governor in Council, the Blue Water Bridge Authority was deemed as a federal Crown corporation on April 26, 2002. The BWBA has the authority to set and charge tolls for the use of the bridge structures.

The Authority is in the process of preparing a renewable long-term plan for the Canadian Plaza. The plan is intended to guide development over the twenty-year period to 2022 and will include a staged implementation plan responsive to forecasted growth and financial resources in order to ensure BWBA's ability to meet future traffic demand.

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

Corporate Profile

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is responsible for:

• Pre-board screening of passengers and their belongings;

• Acquisition, deployment, and maintenance of explosives detection equipment at airports;

• Federal contributions for airport policing related to civil aviation security measures;

• Implementation and oversight of the Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program, working with the RCMP to provide police on-board aircraft;

• Restricted Area Identification Card; and

• Non-Passenger screening.

CATSA is also responsible for any other air transport security functions that the Minister of Transport may assign to it, subject to any terms and conditions that the Minister may establish.

Federal Bridge Corporation Limited, The

Corporate Profile

The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) was incorporated in 1998 to assume the non-navigational management responsibilities of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority.

FBCL is also responsible for the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated, the Seaway International Bridge Corporation, Ltd. and the activities of the Canadian half of the Thousand Islands International Bridge and also the Canadian half of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge.

The Corporation and its subsidiary, St. Mary's River Bridge Company, as well as its joint venture, the Seaway International Bridge Corporation, Ltd., finance their activities through their operating revenue, while the subsidiary, the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated, depends on the Government of Canada for its financing.

Great Lakes Pilotage Authority

Corporate Profile

In addition to providing pilotage services, the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, with the approval of the Governor in Council, makes regulations that prescribe the compulsory pilotage areas; the ships or classes of ships that are subject to compulsory pilotage; when compulsory pilotage may be waived; the tariff rates for pilotage; and the classes of licences and classes of pilotage certificates that may be issued.

The Authority coordinates its operations with a number of other organizations such as the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation and the United States Seaway Development Corporation which operate the lock facilities and maintain a traffic control system within the region. Other organizations involved are the Canadian Coast Guard, which provides aids to navigation, and the United States Coast Guard, which is responsible for United States pilotage matters in international waters.

Laurentian Pilotage Authority

Corporate Profile

The Laurentian Pilotage Authority serves three mandatory pilotage districts: one for the Port of Montreal, another for the navigable waters between Montreal and Quebec City, and a third for the navigable waters between Quebec City and Les Escoumins including the Saguenay River. The Authority owns and operates a pilot station at Les Escoumins with pilot boats capable of carrying pilots year round. The pilot boat services at Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Sorel and Montreal are served by private companies under contract to the Authority.

In addition to providing pilotage services, the Authority with the approval of the Governor in Council makes regulations that prescribe the compulsory pilotage areas; the ships or classes of ships that are subject to compulsory pilotage; when compulsory pilotage may be waived; the tariff rates for pilotage; and the classes of licences and classes of pilotage certificates that may be issued.

Marine Atlantic Inc.

Corporate Profile

Marine Atlantic Inc. has provided continuous ferry services between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia for over 100 years. In addition to the constitutionally guaranteed ferry link between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, Marine Atlantic continues to operate a seasonal alternative service between Argentia, Newfoundland and North Sydney.

The federal government through operating contracts with Transport Canada financially supports the Corporation's operations. Marine Atlantic Inc. owns and operates four ocean-going ferry vessels and three ferry terminals.

Marine Atlantic Inc. continues to have a strong economic presence in the region; it plays an important role in Newfoundland's commerce and tourism industry.

Pacific Pilotage Authority

Corporate Profile

The Pacific Pilotage Authority provides pilotage services within a commercially oriented framework directed towards maintaining financial self-sufficiency through tariffs. Coastal pilotage services are provided by the British Columbia Coast Pilots Ltd., under an agreement for services. Pilotage services on the Fraser River are provided by employee pilots.

In addition to providing pilotage services, the Authority with the approval of the Governor in Council makes regulations that prescribe the compulsory pilotage areas; the ships or classes of ships that are subject to compulsory pilotage; when compulsory pilotage may be waived; the tariff rates for pilotage; and the classes of licences and classes of pilotage certificates that may be issued.

Ridley Terminals Inc.

Corporate Profile

Ridley Terminals Inc. (RTI) owns and operates a marine terminal on Ridley Island in Prince Rupert, B.C. Its train unloading and ship loading infrastructure and equipment are located on land leased from the Prince Rupert Port Authority. RTI plays an important role in supporting Canada's export coal business and is pursuing diversification into sulphur and other commodities.

The company's focus is to increase the value of Canada's investment in the terminal, to support the local community of Prince Rupert, and to help Canadian shippers compete more effectively in the international market by minimizing transportation costs.

In 2003, the federal government invited proposals for Ridley Terminals Inc. to access the level of commercial interest in the terminal, as the government proceeds with its consideration of options for the future of Ridley Terminals Inc.

VIA Rail Canada Inc.

Corporate Profile

VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA Rail) is Canada's national passenger rail company. Since its creation in 1977, the Corporation has operated passenger trains on a cross-Canada network stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and from the Great Lakes to Hudson Bay. VIA Rail operates more than 480 trains weekly on 12,316 kilometres of track, connecting over 450 communities across the country.

VIA Rail's network is made up of four main products groups:

• In Western Canada, providing year round intercity passenger transportation services while also catering to domestic and foreign tourism markets;

• In the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor, providing intercity passenger services between central Canada's largest business centers;

• In Atlantic Canada, linking the region with central Canada via the Montreal and Halifax, and Montreal through the Gaspé Peninsula routes; and

• In rural and remote areas, where VIA operates services mandated by the government to meet regional transportation needs.