Evidence of meeting #33 for Public Safety and National Security in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cbsa.
A video is available from Parliament.
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
I think the accountabilities have been clarified as a result of that. I don't have any data—
Conservative
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
Accountabilities have been clarified, but who is being held accountable when vehicles are being stolen from our ports?
Conservative
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
The vehicles are stolen and transported through our port system.
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
I think the issue with respect to the movement of stolen vehicles is a very complicated process. Obviously, they come into the port in containers, so it's not necessarily that a port police presence, a separate port police presence, would address that issue more than in the context of the existing municipal and RCMP activity.
What I can say is that Transport Canada has been working alongside federal security partners, including port authorities and the RCMP, to create a national port security committee to provide a forum for federal departments and agencies and police services, including the local police services, who would be best positioned to—
Conservative
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
Thank you.
According to a letter sent to the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Public Safety and the Minister of Industry back in September by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, the withdrawal of the Canada Border Services Agency's services from the port of Valleyfield in 2024 reduced clearance capacity in that region.
My question is, why did the government allow for the withdrawal of CBSA from the port of Valleyfield, despite warnings that it would reduce clearance capacity?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
I would have to defer to my colleagues at CBSA.
Conservative
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
Okay.
What was the assessment process that was conducted? Was there an assessment that Transport Canada conducted before the removal of the CBSA from the port of Valleyfield?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
That would not have been within our responsibilities.
Conservative
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
Okay. I guess, then, my next question, if you're not responsible for the CBSA's involvement at the port....
In February, the Minister of Transport said, “There's no question that our ports are strategic gateways that will help us double our exports to markets beyond the United States.” He also noted that to expand trade to destinations beyond the U.S., a significant share of goods would have to transit through ports.
However, our current port policy is not meeting this objective. Committee members were told in February that ports are critical to doubling exports to markets other than the United States, but what has the government done since then to reduce capacity constraints at these strategic waterways?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
Is that since February?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
I would point to the launch of the trade diversification corridors fund, which was announced in the fall and launched a few weeks ago and has started the process of identifying and working with potential project proponents to identify initiatives aiming to support that trade diversification, including the doubling of Canada's exports.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Jean-Yves Duclos
I'm sorry. I would love to let you go further. Unfortunately, that's all the time we have for now.
We have MP Ehsassi for five minutes.
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you also to our witnesses today. I'm very grateful that you could appear before us.
Now, right off the bat, I want to clarify one thing. As I understand it, for a port owner or operator to have facilities, they are responsible for proper detention and proper examination of goods coming in. The onus appears to be on operators and owners of docks and ports. Is that correct?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
Yes. Port terminal operators would—for the most part—have the care and control of cargo entering and exiting through their terminals.
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
For all the equipment, whether it's state-of-the-art equipment or whether it's laser, the onus is on them to actually make all the necessary arrangements. Is that correct?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
I would have to defer to CBSA for the precise investments that are required by individual terminal operators.
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
This isn't a question of investments, though. It's a question of who has the obligation. As I understand it, under the Customs Act there is a provision that says the owners or the operators of a port are responsible for these things.
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
That is my understanding, but I would have to defer to CBSA .
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
If you could kindly follow up with us and just clarify that, that would be much appreciated.
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
My follow-up question is on the St. Lawrence Seaway, where, as you know, we have approximately 100 ports and docks. Currently, after budget 2025, there is a mandate to identify how to expand our capacity for incoming and outgoing cargo. Given that there are three different departments that are responsible for identifying and assessing various ports and docks, what are the criteria as you look at all these various options?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
In terms of how we're looking at these initiatives, we would look, for example, to the trade diversification corridors fund. We're looking for projects that expand trade and transportation infrastructure and will help Canada reach global markets, projects that would reduce traffic congestion and delays.