The modern-day Agency is an independent administrative tribunal with a mandate to interpret and apply transportation legislation as well as the federal government's related policies, act as an economic regulator (when necessary), and via various means such as education, consultations and essential regulation, ensure that market forces prevail in the pursuit of an efficient and accessible federally-regulated transportation network.
The current legislation stipulates that the Agency is made up of a maximum of seven permanent members and three temporary members. The members, who are named by Order-in-Council, come from all regions of Canada and bring to our decision-making process a vast array of personal experience. The Governor-in-Council appoints from among the members a Chairperson, who serves as the organization's Chief Executive Officer in addition to being a full-time member, as well as a Vice-Chairperson, who replaces the Chair when absent. Currently the Agency has a complement of six permanent, full-time members.
Because of its mandate and various fields of jurisdiction, the Agency has built a multi-disciplinary team of a wide variety of experience and professional skills. Some 260 staff members support the members in their decision-making and in resolving disputes between transportation providers, shippers and transportation providers, and consumer and transportation providers.
The Agency is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that renders decisions on a great number of economic matters related to modes of transportation subject to federal jurisdiction (that is, air, rail and marine) and has the powers of a superior court in exercising its jurisdiction. In doing so, we assist both providers and users in resolving their disputes outside the formal litigation process (when possible) and impose regulation only when necessary.
In the rail sector, the Agency issues certificates of fitness for the construction and operation of railways, rules on rate and service complaints as well as on disputes between railways and other parties on infrastructure and access issues. We also set interswitching rates, determine net salvage value for the transfer of lines and establish the maximum revenue entitlement for the transportation of Western grain.
On the marine side, the Agency is the tribunal of appeal for pilotage authority fees and has a mandate to protect Canadian shipowners by ensuring that Canadian-flagged vessels are given priority for any marine transportation between two ports in Canadian waters.
With respect to air transportation, the Agency issues licences to Canadian and foreign airlines, applies the requirements related to these licences and issues charter permits. It also takes part in negotiations for international air agreements and oversees their implementation, in addition to handling consumer air travel complaints.
Finally, the Agency enforces legislation in various areas and works toward the accessibility of Canada's transportation system. Eliminating undue obstacles to the mobility of persons with disabilities is an important part of the Agency's mandate. Through its decisions, issued in response to complaints, the Agency contributes to the progressive elimination of these obstacles. It has the power to impose regulations, but prefers a more flexible and effective approach: consultations, education, and voluntary code of practice development in cooperation with the community of persons with disabilities and industry representatives.
Given that much of our work is case-driven, the agency has developed mechanisms that allow it to deal with complaints quickly, effectively, and fairly. A review panel made up of at least two members hears every case and issues a decision. Our decisions are the result of a process based on integrity, transparency, and fairness to all. Thousands of cases, some major, some minor, but always important to the people concerned, are handled by the agency every year. In 2005 we ruled on some 3,800 cases. At any given time, each member carries a caseload of more than 100 files. The agency has duly noted the growth in the popularity of mediation and facilitation as dispute resolution options.
I'm convinced that we will increasingly use these alternative methods in the future in keeping with the expectation of businesses and citizens who look to the Government of Canada to answer their concerns more rapidly and efficiently. We will continue to fulfill our mandate by using modern approaches focused on clients and citizens through dispute resolution and by dealing with complaints filed on the Internet.
Our priority remains the same: being responsive to the transportation industry, its users, and Canadian citizens while operating in an effective manner.
This concludes my brief snapshot of the Agency and its work. Thank you for your attention.
Mr. Chairman, we would now be pleased to answer any questions committee members might have.
