Canada’s railways welcome upcoming Canada Transportation Act review

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) welcomes the upcoming Canada Transportation Act (CTA) review, officially launched this morning by Transport Minister Lisa Raitt.

“The Canadian railway industry is anxious to participate in this review,” said RAC President and CEO, Michael Bourque. “It will allow us to foster a greater understanding of rail’s significant capacity and its positive role in both export and domestic supply chains.”

Throughout the CTA review, the federal government will call upon the rail sector to provide input on realistic ways to improve Canada’s transportation system. The industry will highlight the importance of supply chain collaboration, network capacity investments, and winter weather’s impact on rail technologies and service reliability.

“Canada’s freight railways have the resources and capacity to deliver excellent service to customers,” said Bourque.

“Our economy depends on a multitude of supply chains – each one with its own characteristics and performance measures – but all of them need to cooperate and collaborate in order to work effectively.”

In her speech in Winnipeg this morning, Minister Raitt outlined the mandate of the CTA review: to examine the overall transportation system, and how it can be leveraged to support Canada’s international competitiveness, trade interests and economic growth, while maintaining high standards for safe, secure and sustainable transportation.

David Emerson will chair the CTA review panel. Mr. Emerson has had a wide-ranging career spanning more than 40 years in the public and private sectors, and as a member of Parliament and cabinet minister.

He will submit recommendations to the Minister of Transport by late 2015.

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About the Railway Association of Canada

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) represents more than 50 freight and passenger railway companies that move 75 million people and $250 billion worth of goods in Canada each year. As the voice of Canada’s rail industry, RAC advocates on behalf of its members and associate members to ensure that the rail sector remains globally competitive, sustainable, and most importantly, safe. Learn more at railcandev.wpengine.com. Follow us on Twitter: @RailCanada or Facebook: www.facebook.com/RailCanada.

Contact:

Alex Paterson
Railway Association of Canada
613-564-8111
alexp@railcan.ca