Minister of Transport Ministre des Transports

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:

I am submitting to your attention the fifth Annual Report on the state of transportation in Canada. The report satisfies the statutory requirements defined in Section 52 of the Canada Transportation Act. The report clearly shows the very significant role played by transportation in the Canadian economy.

The 2000 Annual Report, as did the four preceding ones, contains a wealth of information on the state of the Canadian transportation system. The most recent information available is put forward in the Annual Report in a way that allows one to understand the sources of demand and pressures on the transportation system. It presents, among other things, an overview of the system's infrastructure, as well as current trends in Canada's transportation and trade, with special attention to energy use by the transportation sector.

The report precedes that of the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel. These two reports, as well as the first four Annual Reports, will be useful in defining a national transportation blueprint for the next decade and beyond.

A solid information base will help in understanding the trends and challenges that have faced transportation in recent years. Our country's GDP depends to a large extent on trade. Looking ahead, it is clear that Canada's prospects for growth and development are in the global marketplace. To support strong economic growth in the future, we must aim to make the country's transportation system the best in the world - safe, efficient, integrated, accessible and environmentally friendly.

Yours sincerely,

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

03-0110R (97-08)