No. H216/05
For release November 7, 2005

TRANSPORT MINISTER ISSUES CALL
FOR PROPOSALS FOR TRANSPORTATION
PLANNING AND MODAL INTEGRATION PROJECTS

OTTAWA — Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced a $1 million second call for proposals for projects that advance transportation planning and enhance integration and connections between modes of transportation. The exact amount awarded will depend on the quality and dollar-value of proposals received.

“The Government of Canada understands that a safe, efficient and environmentally sound transportation system is important to the overall well-being and prosperity of Canadians,” said Mr. Lapierre. “Initiatives like this one demonstrate our commitment to innovation and modal integration to meet ongoing challenges.”

The types of proposals eligible for funding include:

• planning and feasibility studies or projects (except for urban transit);
• infrastructure and technology projects that improve connections between modes or modal integration;
• initiatives that facilitate modal partnerships or cross-modal/shipper partnerships;
• research studies that provide greater understanding of multimodal transportation;
• development and dissemination of information management tools;
• innovative approaches to transportation at cross-modal hubs or transfer points along trade corridors for the dispersal of persons or goods at ports, airports, rail stations and other facilities;
• development, diffusion and implementation of asset, freight and travel demand management systems;
• innovative approaches to the movement of freight and goods in rural and northern areas that make more effective use of available transportation options; and
• paperless transactions or electronic commerce technology and systems in the transportation environment.

Provinces, territories, municipalities, First Nations, registered not-for-profit organizations, private enterprises, public or private transportation authorities or agencies and academic institutions may apply. Partnerships between two or more of these entities are encouraged.

To date, more than $3.5 million in funding has been granted to a total of 30 projects in all regions of the country. Four projects have been gateway and corridor studies, fifteen have been multimodal studies and eleven projects have been urban transportation studies.

Funding for this initiative is part of the Government of Canada’s $600-million Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, which was announced on April 3, 2001. The program has two components: a $500-million highway construction component and a $100-million national system integration component. Of the $100 million, $5 million is available for studies or applied transportation initiatives that advance transportation planning and modal integration along transportation corridors. Approximately $1 million of these funds will be distributed to qualified applicants under this call for proposals.

The call for proposals will be open for approximately 12 weeks, until February 1, 2006. An applicants’ guide is available on the Internet at http://www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/acg/acgd/tpmi2005/schedule.htm#APPLICATION.

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BACKGROUNDER

STRATEGIC HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

The Government of Canada is committed to improving the economy and the quality of life for Canadians by investing in highway infrastructure across Canada. As part of this commitment, Transport Canada announced the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP) in April 2001. The program has two components: a $500-million highway construction component and a $100-million national system integration component.

Under the highway component, the Government of Canada works with the provinces and territories to identify those parts of the National Highway System that, because of growing traffic and increasing trade, need immediate attention. This will result in a safer and more efficient highway system for all Canadians. An allocation formula determines how much federal funding each province and territory receives with a minimum of $4 million per jurisdiction plus a share based on population. Provinces and territories cost-share these projects on a 50-50 basis.

Environmental assessments that meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act are undertaken before projects begin. Funding for projects is conditional on the results of these assessments and receipt of environmental approvals.

Under the second component of SHIP, the federal government provides $100 million to fund initiatives that better integrate the transportation system. These include the deployment of intelligent transportation systems across Canada, improvements at border crossings and initiatives that improve transportation planning and modal integration. Intelligent transportation systems include applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management and vehicle safety.

The program continues the Government of Canada’s long tradition of highway funding that started more than 80 years ago. In fact, Transport Canada will have invested more than $1.8 billion between 1993 and 2004 to improve highways across Canada. The federal government also invests in transportation-related infrastructure through other programs such as the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the Border Infrastructure Fund.

For more information on the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/SHIP/menu.htm.

November 2005