Minister of Transport Ministre des Transports

Ottawa, Canada K1A 0N5

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, C.C., C.M.M., C.D.
Governor General of Canada
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A1

Excellency:

It is with great pleasure that I submit for your attention, the sixth Annual Report on the state of transportation in Canada.  This report is produced in conformity with the statutory requirements spelled out in Section 52 of the Canada Transportation Act.

For a country of Canada's size, transportation plays a fundamental role. Transportation supports and enables both social and economic activities.  The report clearly shows the importance of this role and the state of the transportation sector through the analysis of the most recent information available on Canada's transportation system.

This report and the five previous ones provide a good understanding of trends and challenges influencing the evolution of transportation needs, including those emanating from socio-economic demands, changes in market conditions, and the resulting challenges for our country's transportation system.  The report is a guide to understanding the efficiency of our transportation system in the context of new logistical forces at play which constantly increase the demands Canadians place on transportation.

At a time when we are contemplating the challenges and pressures the country's transportation system will face in the coming years, this report helps to solidify the information on which policy decisions will be taken.

Yours sincerely,

Hon. David M. Collenette, P.C., M.P.

03-0110R (97-08)