4 Transportation Safety and Security

The safety and security of Canada's transportation system continued to improve in 2002, demonstrated by decreases in the number of accidents in all modes and by security enhancements implemented since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Public confidence in the safety and security of the transportation system returned to near pre-September 11, 2001, high-confidence levels.

A safe and secure transportation system is critical to Canada's well being. Canadians rely on all forms of transportation to take them where they want to go and also to deliver their goods. Canada's transportation system moves more than $1 trillion in goods every year. Forty per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is directly linked to trade, much of it in merchandise that is transported by truck and train, by ship and plane, to and from Canada and the United States and markets around the globe.

A threat to the safety and security of Canada's transportation system could, potentially, affect Canadians personally and their ability to travel; it could also affect Canada's economic prosperity and its ability as a nation to trade effectively. Thus, preserving the safety and security of Canada's transportation system remains Transport Canada's primary focus.

Canada already has one of the safest and most secure transportation systems in the world and continues to work diligently to further improve the system. In upholding the safety and security of the transportation system, Transport Canada carries out its objectives through three principal activities: rulemaking, oversight and outreach. Through its rulemaking efforts, Transport Canada establishes and implements legislation, regulations, standards and policies. Oversight activities include issuing licences, certificates, registrations and permits; monitoring compliance through audits, inspections and surveillance; and taking appropriate enforcement action in instances of non-compliance. Outreach activities involve efforts to promote, educate and increase awareness of safety and security issues.

The safety and security of the transportation system is a shared responsibility. Transport Canada works with governments, transportation industries, agencies, associations and international organizations. Transport Canada collaborates with other federal departments, whose programs and services may be affected by transportation activities. Transport Canada also works with provincial, territorial and municipal governments particularly concerning the maintenance of the highway system and enforcement of road safety, as well as the co-delivery of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) program. Furthermore, Transport Canada works closely with transportation sector industries, agencies and associations, all of which have a vested interest in the transportation infrastructure, regulatory regime and safety. Additionally, Transport Canada collaborates with its international partners — such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) — to harmonize safety and security standards and to share best practices in safety and security systems.

Since September 11, 2001, Transport Canada — working with government and industry stakeholders — has increased its efforts to be more vigilant, to prevent terrorist activity and to implement more stringent transportation safety and security standards. As a result, Canada has maintained its good transportation safety record. For instance, compared with 2001, accidents were down in the aviation, rail and marine sectors. In fact, the number of accidents involving Canadian-registered aircraft was the lowest in 25 years. Moreover, the number of transportation-related fatalities has remained below the five-year average in aviation, rail, road and the transportation of dangerous goods. The positive outcomes in transportation have been influenced by enhancements and initiatives in safety and security as seen in 2002, which have significantly improved public confidence in the safety and security of the transportation system.

An August 2002 survey conducted by EKOS Research gathered Canadians' perceptions of transportation safety trends. This survey found that, overall, the majority of Canadians had a high level of confidence in the safety and security of the transportation modes (see Figure 4-1).

FIGURE 4-1: TRACKING THE SAFETY OF MODES, 2002
Canada's transportation system includes air, rail, road, and marine travel... How would you rate the overall safety and security of each of the following modes of transportation?

Source: EKOS Research Associates

This chapter reviews developments and initiatives concerning the safety and security of Canada's transportation system during 2002. The second section discusses transportation security and reviews the various enhancements undertaken by Transport Canada during 2002.

Transportation Safety

Transportation Security