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Transportation in Canada 2002 |
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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?
![Chart of tracking the safety of modes, 2002](/web/20071206180104im_/http://www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/report/anre2002/images/4-1e.gif)
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
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