Transport Canada; Policy; Transportation in Canada 2003

In the federal budget of 2003, $250 million was set aside for transportation measures under the Climate Change Plan for Canada.

OVERVIEW

Transportation is fundamental to Canada's economic prosperity and Canadians' quality of life. To maintain and improve our competitiveness, Canada must ensure that its transportation system is efficient and responsive to new challenges. To enhance Canadians' quality of life, we also need to ensure that the system is safe, secure and environmentally acceptable. In practical terms, this means that, more and more, Canadians will ask that the transportation system performs its vital role in ways that do not harm human health or the environment.

Sustainable development is a concept that promotes a balance of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of transportation. Making Canada's transportation system more sustainable requires a longterm commitment and coordinated efforts by all levels of government, industry and, most importantly, by individual Canadians. It is not a goal that can be reached overnight.

Creating a truly sustainable transportation system is challenging. In Canada, three levels of government share responsibility for transportation. In general, the federal government is responsible for national, interprovincial and international transportation; provincial governments are responsible for intraprovincial transportation; and, municipalities are responsible for urban transit and local planning decisions. Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of transportation coordinate activities through the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety.

TRANSPORT CANADA'S ROLE

Transport Canada's primary responsibility is to provide a safe and secure transportation system. It also has authority for certain environmental issues (e.g. Canada Shipping Act, Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act). Transport Canada works with other federal government departments in this area. For example, Transport Canada works with Natural Resources Canada in promoting improvements in road vehicle fuel efficiency, including the introduction of fuel efficiency technologies in new vehicles. Environment Canada is responsible for air emissions through off-road and on-road vehicle and engine emissions regulations.

The federal government strives to improve the environmental management of its operations by mitigating adverse impacts. By reducing its own environmental impacts, Transport Canada seeks to set a positive example for others in the transportation sector. Although the department no longer directly operates many components of the transportation system, it retains the role of landlord and overseer for major components. In this role, Transport Canada is responsible for ensuring appropriate stewardship of its land and facilities.

This chapter provides an overview of key environmental issues pertaining to the transportation sector in Canada. More specifically, it reviews the most recent trends in air emissions and recent developments respecting climate change and urban air pollution. In addition, it highlights initiatives in the areas of clean water and contaminated sites.

ENVIRONMENTAL TRENDS IN TRANSPORTATION

Transportation has a wide range of impacts on the environment. The adverse effects are a function of the stresses associated with transportation, including resource use (materials and energy), undesirable residuals (emissions, spills and leaks) and land use. A range of transportation activities contributes to these stresses, including the construction of infrastructure; road system operations and maintenance; the production, operation, maintenance and disposal of vehicles; and the provision of energy. Consequently, transportation activities contribute in various degrees to a number of environmental problems, including climate change caused by human-induced greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions, urban smog, decreased water quality and poor land use.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Climate change is an environmental concern on both a domestic and international level. It is caused by GHGs that trap heat reflected from the surface of the planet in the lower atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the primary GHG and is responsible for about two thirds of climate change.

Emissions from transportation have been growing rapidly, as Canada's economy has expanded and trade has flourished both within Canada and with the United States. This upward trend is projected to continue.

In 2001, total Canadian GHG emissions from secondary energy sources ¹ were 473 megatonnes (Mt). Figure 5-1 shows GHG emissions from secondary sources for different sectors of the economy.

Source: Natural Resources Canada, Energy Efficiency Trends - Summary Tables (Canada), OEE Web site

Transportation sources accounted for 34 per cent (163 megatonnes) of the total. Road transportation accounted for the majority of this, with 77 per cent of the total, while aviation accounted for nine per cent. Rail and marine transportation accounted for four and six per cent, respectively.

Figure 5-2 shows that GHG emissions arising from onroad gasoline use were relatively stable for most of the last two decades. It was not until 1998 that gasoline use rose to 1980 levels. Since then, gasoline use has continued to climb. Overall, growth in on-road gasoline use was about seven per cent between 1980 and 2002. Improvements in new car fuel efficiency are largely responsible for this relatively moderate increase. However, car ownership per licenced driver has increased steadily, and people are driving more often and longer distances. Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and light trucks are increasingly popular.

Source: Fuel sales from Statistics Canada: Quarterly Report on Energy Supply-Demand, Cat. 57-003; conversion factors to GHG emissions from Environment Canada: Canada's Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2000, June 2002

The same figure also shows that on-road diesel fuel use has grown considerably over the last two decades, increasing 140 per cent between 1980 and 2002. This reflects the changing nature of the freight industry due to liberalized trade, deregulation of the freight-carrying industries and the "just-in-time" revolution (the tendency of industry to minimize inventories to reduce costs).

Figure 5-3 shows non-road GHG emissions. Aviation emissions fluctuated between 1980 and 2002 but overall have increased by 33 per cent. It should be noted that aircraft fuel efficiency increased during this period due to new aircraft technology, the use of larger aircraft and increased load factors. Marine GHG emissions declined by 27 per cent over the same period. However, since the mid-1980s, emissions have fluctuated over a relatively narrow band. Rail emissions declined between 1980 and 2002 by roughly 15 per cent. This is impressive, as it occurred at the same time that domestic tonne-kilometres grew. This could be due to several factors: the acquisition of large numbers of new high-performance locomotives during the late 1990s; the adoption of new operating practices; and the rationalization of Canadian National and Canadian Pacific's fleets.

URBAN TRANSPORTATION AND AIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS

Eighty per cent of Canadians now live in urban areas, making Canada one of the most urbanized countries in the world. Urbanization, together with steadily increasing economic activity originating in urban centres, is putting pressure on the environment.

Vehicle emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution, specifically in Canada's most densely populated centres. Vehicle emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) affect air quality and contribute to urban smog, a major health concern to Canadians. Health studies estimate that air pollution contributes to several thousand premature deaths in Canada each year, as well as to numerous health-related problems, including cardio-vascular ailments and respiratory distress.

Smog is composed of two main ingredients: groundlevel ozone and fine airborne particles. Ground-level ozone is produced when NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOC) react in sunlight and stagnant air. VOC are found in gasoline fumes and solvents. NOx emissions are produced mostly by burning fossil fuels. NOx, along with sulphur dioxide (SO₂), also contribute to acid rain. The second main ingredient in smog is fine particulate matter, which is produced during fossil fuel combustion in motor vehicles, power plants and large industries. Industrial processes and solvent use are also major sources of particulate matter.

Figure 5-4 shows the trend in these emissions since 1985. The transportation sector accounts for roughly 52 per cent of total NOx emissions, 21 per cent of total VOC emissions and six per cent of fine particulate emissions. Fortunately, over the last 15 years, all air pollutant emissions due to the transportation sector have decreased. This decline is largely due to regulations that were introduced to reduce the health impacts of smog and the impact of acid rain.

FIGURE 5-4: AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR, 1985 - 2000

Congestion is a major contributor to GHG emissions and other smog-producing air pollutants. Congestion also has economic and social costs. In urban areas and at border points, it is a key obstacle to the efficient movement of international and interprovincial trade and has a significant impact on Canada's transportation infrastructure. Airports, rail yards, ports and intercity highways are usually located in cities and are directly affected by the efficiency of the urban transportation system. Congestion produces important economic costs, estimated to be in the billions of dollars, for the Canadian economy. These costs include loss of time and productivity, lost wages and extra fuel costs. Congestion is expected to increase significantly as the population continues to grow in urban areas.

Low-density settlement, with its reliance on roads, has been an increasing trend in the development of Canadian cities. Although there are benefits of a less crowded, open, green environment, this urban form can increase passenger vehicle use and emissions by increasing commuting travel distance.

CLEAN WATER AND CONTAMINATED SITES

Transportation activities may decrease water quality and have a negative impact on land use. Mitigating transportation-related effects on water quality, improving environmental management and taking action to mitigate the environmental impact of transportation activities are key to protecting the integrity of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, avoiding human exposure to hazardous substances, and preserving human enjoyment of the environment. Much land contamination involves leakages from fuel storage tanks that occurred decades ago. Contamination has occurred at urban industrial areas, historical railway developments, old ports, airports, training facilities, military bases and reserves. About 60 per cent of Canada's contaminated sites involve petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contamination that, left unaddressed, may pose a threat to human health and the environment.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

In 2003, Transport Canada, like all other federal government departments, developed its third Sustainable Development Strategy 2004-2006 (SDS). The objective of the SDS is to improve decision-making and to strengthen awareness of the importance of sustainable transportation. The Strategy will help to ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account along with economic and social factors in Transport Canada policies, programs and operations.

The third Strategy provides an opportunity for Transport Canada to demonstrate continued leadership in promoting sustainable transportation. It addresses key federal priorities such as climate change, clean air, clean water, contaminated sites and research and development. Many of the Strategy's commitments will address these priorities within an urban context.

Tabled in Parliament in February 2004, the Strategy defines seven strategic challenges and 32 specific commitments for action over the next three years.

The seven strategic challenges are as follows:

Encourage Canadians to make more sustainable transportation choices
Enhance innovation and skills development
Increase system efficiency and optimize modal choices
Enhance efficiency of vehicles, fuels and fuelling infrastructure
Improve performance of carriers and operators
Improve decision-making by governments and the transportation sector
Improve management of Transport Canada operations and lands

To develop this Strategy, Transport Canada drew on the expertise of a national advisory group and other federal departments; consulted the provinces, territories and municipalities; and received input from Canadians from coast to coast. The Strategy represents Transport Canada's plan for making better decisions in partnership with stakeholders in the transportation sector.

The Strategy is available on Transport Canada's Web site at www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/sd/sds0406/menu.htm.

CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION

The federal government ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2002, committing Canada to reduce GHG emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by the year 2010. In February 2003, the federal budget underscored Canada's commitment to take action on climate change. Budget 2003 provided $2 billion to be allocated among the climate change initiatives in the Climate Change Plan for Canada. In August 2003, the government announced the allocation of $1 billion of Budget 2003 funding. Of that amount, a total of $161 million has been set aside for transportation measures. The Climate Change Plan, which incorporates Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change, focuses on increasing vehicle efficiency and the production and use of alternative fuels. In addition, important steps have been taken to foster freight efficiency and to enhance passenger choices in urban areas.

VEHICLE EFFICIENCY

Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Initiative

The Government of Canada has renewed its commitment to working with automotive manufacturers to develop a new fleet fuel efficiency goal. The government's objective is to improve light-duty vehicle fuel efficiency by 25 per cent by 2010. To assist consumers in making the best environmental choices, the government will enhance public information programs. For example, the federal government launched the "Be Tire Smart" campaign in fall 2003. This campaign is a national public outreach and education initiative designed to encourage Canadian motorists to adopt proper tire inflation and maintenance practices in order to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles and prolong tire life, both of which save energy and reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.

Advanced Technology Vehicles Program

The Advanced Technology Vehicles Program (ATVP) is a major part of the Motor Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Initiative. Advanced technology vehicles are vehicles with available, or soon to be available, technologies able to improve fuel efficiency, reduce air emissions and contribute to the development of cleaner, sustainable transportation systems. These vehicles are being evaluated to determine their impact on fuel efficiency, safety and the environment. At the end of 2003, the ATVP fleet included 87 vehicles. Transport Canada's first ATVP annual report was released on July 21, 2003. It found that the public reaction to small urban vehicles is positive. It also reported that, as advanced technology vehicles operate in the same manner as conventional ones, the transition to these vehicles would be largely seamless and transparent to Canadians. Challenges remain to demonstrate that these vehicles are as safe as other larger vehicles in the market. In addition, the availability of these vehicles in the Canadian market might be limited.

ALTERNATE FUELS INITIATIVES

Fuel Cell Initiatives

The Government of Canada, through its Action Plan 2000, is investing $23 million in the Canadian Transportation Fuel Cell Alliance program to demonstrate and evaluate different fuelling options for fuel cell vehicles. It will also analyze the ways the fuel may be delivered to vehicles, establish safety standards for fuelling stations, and develop training and certification programs for the people who install and maintain those stations.

As part of the August 2003 announcement, $130 million will be invested in building knowledge and accelerating the development and commercialization of fuel cells and other technologies that will form the basis of the emerging hydrogen economy, including technologies to produce hydrogen from renewable energy sources. Investments will be available to support public- and private-sector partnerships to develop and demonstrate hydrogen technologies and infrastructure in integrated, real-world settings. An additional $50 million will also be invested in hydrogen economy-related projects from the $250 million Sustainable Development Technology Canada allocation.

In April 2003, the former Minister of Industry, Allan Rock, released the Canadian Fuel Cell Commercialization Roadmap. The Roadmap identifies how Canadian companies, institutions and governments can plan their investment decisions, industrial development activities, and research and educational programs to accelerate the commercialization of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, which hold significant potential for environmental benefit and economic opportunity.

Ethanol Expansion

The federal government proposes to work with the provinces, territories and industry to increase the supply and use of ethanol produced from biomass such as plant fibre, corn and other grains. Specifically, the Climate Change Plan goal is to have 35 per cent of our national gasoline supply contain low-level ethanol blends (up to 10 per cent) by 2010. To achieve the Ethanol Expansion Program, $100 million has been allocated over the 2003 - 2006 period to support new ethanol production in Canada.

Biodiesel

On August 12, 2003, the Government of Canada announced the proposed expenditure of $11.9 million to support research and to provide incentives for industrialscale biodiesel pilot plants. These funds also will support demonstration projects to encourage broader use of this cleaner burning alternative to conventional diesel.

Natural Gas

The federal government will also invest $9.9 million to reduce the cost of natural gas vehicles in urban fleets, such as taxis and delivery trucks. This measure will help to increase demand for these lower-emitting vehicles and encourage manufacturers to increase production of these vehicles.

FREIGHT INITIATIVES

Freight Efficiency and Technology Initiative

This initiative is led by Transport Canada in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada and is designed to reduce the growth of GHG emissions from freight transportation. It consists of three components: the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program (FSDP); voluntary performance agreements between the federal government and modal associations; and training and awareness for freight carriers. In 2003, the FSDP allocated approximately $1.89 million for 14 projects. In addition, two new demonstration projects were initiated. The Freight Efficiency and Technology Initiative also cofunded and helped to organize freight-related conferences and workshops to raise awareness of the program and to promote best practices to reduce GHG emissions from the freight sector.

Commercial Transportation Energy Efficiency and Fuels Initiative

The Climate Change Plan includes a new four-year $54.1 million Commercial Transportation Energy Efficiency and Fuels Initiative, co-led by Transport Canada and Natural Resources Canada. It seeks to reduce the growth of GHG emissions in Canada's commercial transportation sector. Transport Canada's component of this initiative is the Freight Efficiency Program, which focuses on air, marine and rail freight operations and shippers. The program will provide financial incentives for the purchase and installation of efficiency enhancing technologies and equipment. It also includes a marine shore power pilot project to reduce ship idling at terminals and a training and awareness program for shippers and freight forwarders. The Natural Resources Canada component of the initiative focuses on the on-road activities of the commercial transportation sector.

URBAN PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION

The Urban Transportation Showcase Program

The Urban Transportation Showcase Program is a $40 million initiative to demonstrate and evaluate the impacts of integrated strategies to reduce GHG emissions from urban transportation. The program also evaluates the effects of these strategies on achieving other objectives such as increased energy efficiency, technology testing, cleaner air, reduced operating costs and increased active transportation (see text box Active Transportation). Information from the showcases and on sustainable urban transportation is generally disseminated via learning events, Internet communications, publication of case studies and award grants to encourage the replication of successful strategies.

In 2003, the program evaluated detailed proposals from 15 cities across Canada and announced the selection of eight of these proposals for implementation. Selected showcase proposals came from: Whitehorse, the Greater Vancouver Regional District, Winnipeg, Waterloo, the Greater Toronto Area and the City of Hamilton, Gatineau, Montreal and Halifax. The integrated strategies to be implemented by March 2007 in these cities include bus rapid transit, targetted social marketing, enhanced cycling and walking corridors, hybrid-electric buses, electric station cars, transportation management associations and transit villages. These strategies are being implemented in partnership with local, regional, provincial and territorial governments, non-profit groups, the private sector, and education and research institutions.

Throughout 2003, the program's Information Network sponsored learning events and recognized achievements that focused on air quality, land use, smart growth, congestion pricing and climate change. Sponsored awards were presented to the City of Calgary's Transportation Solutions Group and to the City of Ottawa for its O-Train project.

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Active transportation is non-motorized transportation, including travel modes such as walking, bicycling and manual-powered wheelchair. Active transportation is also an effective remediation option for the reduction of traffic congestion in urban centres that can lead to an overall reduction of automobile emissions and GHG emissions.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has developed a guide for implementing and promoting active modes of transportation such as walking, cycling and in-line skating in Canadian communities. It is a comprehensive and practical resource that helps communities across Canada make active transportation a bigger part of their response to everyday transportation challenges like air pollution. The FCM partnered with Transport Canada, Health Canada and Environment Canada on this project. The guide can be found at http://kn.fcm.ca.

Moncton, New Brunswick, is one of Canada's fastest growing cities. As such, there is an increasing strain on its social, physical and environmental systems. In response, the city has developed a linear park and greenway network to apply a sustainable development approach toward the preservation of critical habitat spaces and trails. As part of this, Moncton began work on the Millennium Trail (a pathway surrounding the municipality that links many communities to parks and other important civic and business destinations). These initiatives led the city's environmental committee to consider future health, active living and transportation needs. This in turn led to the formation of the Active Transportation committee, which was charged with developing an Active Transportation Plan.

Still being refined and implemented, the plan has the potential to transform the City of Moncton from an automobile-reliant community to a place where motorists, public transit riders, walkers, cyclists and others share a common vision for future transportation desires and needs. The plan provides a framework for integrating user desires for the various modes of getting around with desired community destinations and represents a significant initiative in the development of sustainable transportation.

Infrastructure

In keeping with the commitments in the September 30, 2002, Speech from the Throne regarding modern infrastructure and a new strategy for a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system, the Government of Canada proposed to place a greater emphasis on public transit in existing and future infrastructure funding. This will be done in conjunction with municipal efforts to establish supportive transportation management and land-use planning frameworks, and significant provincial and territorial actions to increase demand for public transit and reduce single-occupant vehicle use.

The August 12, 2003, announcement referenced the $3 billion infrastructure investment outlined in the federal Budget 2003, as a further source of effort to reduce GHGs. These funds will be delivered through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) and the Municipal- Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF), managed by Infrastructure Canada.

Transportation projects (road, transit, rail) are approved by the Minister responsible for Infrastructure, with analysis and advice from Transport Canada. All transportation projects under CSIF are negotiated jointly and implemented by Transport Canada.

AIR QUALITY

In 2003, Environment Canada continued to make significant progress in implementing new regulatory measures under the Federal Agenda on Cleaner Vehicles, Engines and Fuels. On January 1, 2003, the On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations were published under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), 1999. They became effective January 1, 2004. As these cleaner vehicles are introduced into the Canadian fleet they will result in progressively reduced annual emissions of smog-forming pollutants. The regulations ensure that 2004 and later model year on-road vehicles and engines will be designed to meet progressively more stringent emission standards in alignment with corresponding U.S. federal emissions rules. The regulations apply to light-duty vehicles, light-duty trucks, medium-duty passenger vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles and motorcycles.

The above regulations were complemented by the previous adoption of the Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations (2002) to reduce the maximum sulphur content of on-road diesel fuel to 15 parts per million beginning in 2006 in order to ensure the effective performance of advanced vehicle/engine emission control systems. Together, the two regulations are estimated to have the following emission reductions from the fleet of on-road vehicles operating in Canada in 2020: NOx (-73 per cent), particulate matter (-64 per cent), carbon monoxide (-23 per cent) and VOC (-14 per cent). These measures will also result in decreased emissions of several pollutants, which have been declared "toxic" under CEPA 1999, such as benzene and acetaldehyde.

In November 2003, Environment Canada published the final Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations, the first of a series of planned regulations to reduce emissions from engines used in variety of off-road applications. Other off-road engine emissions regulations under development will address diesel engines such as construction and agricultural machinery, personal watercraft and recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.

CLEAN WATER

Transportation-related water pollution remains an important issue. The federal government aims to protect the integrity of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, avoid human exposure to hazardous substances and preserve human enjoyment of the environment. In 2003, for example, the federal government continued to prevent, detect and respond to marine pollution incidents through a national marine spill preparedness and response system. It participated in and contributed to the development of new regulations through meetings of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Amendments to the Dangerous Goods Shipping Regulations have resulted in a greater consistency between Canadian dangerous goods regulations and international marine pollution agreements. These regulations require clear identification of marine pollutants to minimize accidental pollution and proper marking and labelling of packages.

During 2003, Transport Canada established an inventory of all its owned and operated facilities that provide drinking water. Transport Canada also worked with an Interdepartmental Drinking Water Committee to develop a draft federal drinking water program, which will be completed in the near future.

Although existing legislation does not specifically require water monitoring, federal, provincial and municipal laws do specify water quality standards and guidelines to be followed by industry. To ensure that airport effluent does not negatively impact on the environment, Transport Canada airports have implemented a program of sampling and analyzing stormwater from airports throughout Canada.

CONTAMINATED SITES MANAGEMENT PLAN

Budget 2003 provided funding over five years ($75 million for the first year and $100 million per year for the four subsequent years) to accelerate the clean-up of federal contaminated sites in Canada. It is expected that this funding will reduce federal liabilities through the care and maintenance of abandoned mines in the North and the remediation of high risk contaminated sites and the advancement of remediation on many others.

In July 2003, each federal department and agency, including Transport Canada, submitted a five-year departmental contaminated sites management plan to Treasury Board as required in the newly enacted Federal Contaminated Sites Management Policy.

The plan provides a common framework for prioritizing and selecting sites for further action, assisting in identifying contaminated site funding requirements, and will contribute to sustainable development. It will be updated annually to reflect departmental priorities, technology advancements and availability of resources.

PROVINCIAL/MUNICIPAL INITIATIVES

The provinces and territories are responsible for most aspects of highways, vehicle licensing and inspection. Municipal governments manage urban planning and local transportation systems, including urban roads, bridges and public transit. Consequently, each of these levels of government contributes to a sustainable transportation system. The following are some examples of initiatives that have been conducted in 2003 in the provinces and/or municipalities to improve sustainability of the transportation system.

Saskatchewan

The Saskatoon Transit Service and Saskatchewan Highways are testing a canola-oil blend "biodiesel" in portions of their fleets. Expected results include reduced diesel fuel consumption, reduced NOx/VOC emissions, and significantly reduced vehicle engine wear. The City of Regina and Saskatchewan Energy have converted their vehicle fleets to compressed natural gas. Further, Saskatchewan Energy has established several natural gas vehicle-fueling stations in the province to serve the public. The use of compressed natural gas reduces petroleum consumption and vehicle emissions.

Manitoba

On April 16, 2003, the Province of Manitoba released the Preliminary Hydrogen Opportunities Report. This report examines the future use of hydrogen and outlines possible opportunities in the area of hydrogen development for Manitoba. In addition, in 2003, the Sustainable Development Innovations Fund approved grants for two projects to be conducted. A grant of $25,000 was provided to design, develop and test biodiesel fuels in transit buses in Canadian prairie conditions. A grant of $8,500 was provided to assess the implementation of alternative fuels in fleet vehicles within the Red River Valley Region (both the Canadian and U.S. portions) in order to promote increased use of alternative fuels within the region.

Ontario

Ontario's tax rebate program for vehicles powered by alternative fuel provides purchasers or long-term lessors of qualifying vehicles with a retail sales tax rebate of up to $1,000. In the 2003 Ontario Budget, the government proposed to double the retail sales tax rebate for qualifying alternative fuel vehicles to a maximum of $2,000. Certain hybrid electric passenger cars are also eligible for this rebate. In addition, the Ontario government announced a 10-year plan to expand and renew Ontario's transit infrastructure. This included: $1 billion for GO Transit base capital needs; $750 million for the municipal transit renewal program; $1.25 billion for inter-regional transit expansion in the Golden Horseshoe Region; and $250 million for strategic transit expansion projects in urban areas outside the Golden Horseshoe Region. The 2003 Budget also included an announcement that the province would provide funding toward a new GO Transit bus rapid transit network.

Quebec

The Société de Transport de Montréal completed a pilot test using 20 per cent biodiesel blend fuels in their transit buses. Fuel feedstock was from used restaurant grease, animal fats from rendering plants and virgin vegetable oils. The BIOBUS project demonstrated that it is viable for public transit authorities to use biodiesel and that significant reductions in both GHG and air pollutants are possible. At its April 2003 convention, the Association québécoise du transport et des routes honoured the BIOBUS project with its environmental award for technical achievement.

New Brunswick

In 2003, New Brunswick's Department of Transportation released its Strategy Plan for 2002 - 2005. The plan identified nine strategic goals, one of which is to be environmentally responsible and proactive in all departmental activities. Its objectives are to: integrate the concepts of continuous improvement, environmental protection and pollution prevention in all aspects of the department's work; take special steps to protect the environment surrounding the department's maintenance facilities; ensure all field staff have appropriate training in environmental protection; investigate new, environmentally responsible technologies and methodologies; and cooperate with the federal government, the provincial Department of Environment and local governments and others in educating the public on the need for reducing transportation-related GHG emissions. The department will also monitor and measure progress on implementation of its road salt management initiatives and its environmental planning for proposed highway projects that fall under environmental impact assessment legislation.

TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

The activities reported in this chapter show that efforts are being taken at all levels of government to promote a more sustainable transportation system. A safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system is critically important to Canada's overall economic and social well-being. Much progress is being made. However, much more is required to ensure a sustainable transportation system for current and future generations.

¹ Secondary energy is the energy used by the final consumer in the residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial and transportation sectors. Back to text

5 TRANSPORTATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT