No. H 210/07
For release - October 29, 2007

CANADA TRANSPORTATION ACT AND AERONAUTICS ACT AMENDMENTS REINTRODUCED IN PARLIAMENT

OTTAWA — The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today reintroduced the former Bill C-6 (Act to amend the Aeronautics Act) and former Bill C-58 (Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act) in the House of Commons.

Former Bills C-6 and C-58 are being introduced in the same form as they were in the previous session. According to a recent motion supported by all parties, if the Speaker of the House is satisfied that these bills are in the same form as at prorogation, they shall be reinstated at all stages completed at the time of prorogation of the previous session. Consequently, the former Bill C-6 will be reinstated at third reading in the House, and the former Bill C-58 will be referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

"These proposed amendments represent the culmination of extensive consultations and reflect the substantial contributions made by stakeholders from across the country," said Minister Cannon. "I made a commitment that these important pieces of legislation would be reintroduced and I am pleased to be honouring that commitment today."

The former Bill C-6 was initially introduced on April 27, 2006. The proposed amendments to the Aeronautics Act reflect new strategies being implemented to regulate aviation safety, including an increase in penalties that may be imposed under the Act. Key amendments would also allow individuals and operators to confidentially report, on a voluntary basis, less safety-critical regulatory violations.

Another significant change is a new part in the Act to provide the Canadian Forces Airworthiness Investigative Authority with new powers and duties to carry out flight safety investigations that may involve civilians in military aviation accidents or incidents. These new powers and duties would be comparable to those exercised by Transportation Safety Board investigators examining civilian accidents.

The former Bill C-58 was initially introduced on May 30, 2007. The proposed amendments would clarify and strengthen the Canada Transportation Act's current provisions that protect rail shippers from the potential abuse of market power by railways. The proposed amendments would help address shipper concerns about rail service and rates, while providing regulatory stability to the railways to encourage investments that are required to keep Canadian exporters and importers competitive in international markets.

In addition, the Government of Canada has made a commitment to commence a review of railway service within 30 days after the above amendments to the rail freight provisions of the Canada Transportation Act have been passed. The Government of Canada will consult with the shippers and the railways on the scope and terms of reference for this review. In the interim, shippers continue to have access to the remedies already available in the Act.

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