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Media Advisory

Accessible Transportation Panel to Kick Off National Transportation Week: Reminder and New Information

OTTAWA - June 1, 2004 - The Canadian Transportation Agency, in conjunction with National Transportation Week (NTW), will be kicking off this year's NTW celebrations with a panel discussion on best practices in accessibility for persons with disabilities. Entitled "The Future of the Transportation Business in an Accessible World", the event will be an opportunity to report on the latest ideas and trends about travel, both positive and negative, for people with disabilities and to learn about cost-effective, new and profitable innovations.

Marian Robson, the Chairman of the Canadian Transportation Agency and moderator of the panel discussion, will make an important announcement for persons with disabilities at the event's conclusion.

	Date:	Thursday, June 3, 2004
	Time:	2:00 p.m.
	Place:	Ottawa Congress Centre, Capital Hall

On the panel will be:

• Sally Thomas, a member of Canada's national paralympic powerlifting team, discussing her experiences as a person with a disability travelling around the world representing her country;
• Stuart Coventry, Director of On-Board Guest Services for Rocky Mountaineer Railtours, with a focus on accessible tourism;
• Pierre Lanoix, Vice-President, Operations, of the Ottawa Airport Authority, speaking on the importance of accessibility considerations in the construction and refurbishment of transportation facilities;
• Lorraine Card, Greyhound Canada's Director of Safety and Driver Development, providing a perspective from the intercity bus sector; and
• Dale Tinevez, Director, Airports, WestJet, who will be speaking on what the company has been doing to better meet the needs of passengers with disabilities.

This panel discussion will be a highlight of Canada's National Transportation Day, which is being hosted in the nation's capital this year. Among the other events at the Congress Centre will be that evening's NTW Annual Dinner at which the Canadian Transportation Person of the Year will be honoured.

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For more information on the panel discussion or to discuss any accommodation requirements, please contact:

Marc Comeau
Senior Communications Adviser
Canadian Transportation Agency
(819) 953-9961

For more information on NTW events, please contact:

National Transportation Week
(613) 599-7060

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