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.
Liberal
Sima Acan Liberal Oakville West, ON
Thank you very much, Ms. Read.
Has Transport Canada conducted any assessments to identify ports that have strategic potential, which would require federal support to modernize?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
Through the trade diversification corridors fund, which was recently launched, the first stream is an invitation process. Under the auspices of that funding, which was launched earlier in March, I believe, we've started the process of working with individual ports and other project proponents. It's not limited to ports.
Liberal
Bloc
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Thank you.
Ms. Read, thank you for being here. I'll ask you to provide brief answers. You can answer two short questions with a yes or no.
My understanding is that Transport Canada primarily plays a key strategic coordination role in developing Canada's fluid supply chains. Did I get that right?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
That's part of our role, yes.
Bloc
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
When there is congestion due to containers awaiting clearance at a port of entry, would you say that poses a significant challenge to the overall efficiency of supply chains?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
We would work with responsible entities, if there were port congestion issues related to clearance.
Bloc
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
As you know, for example, for some time now, Montreal has experienced congestion related to containers awaiting clearance.
Do you think congestion at the Port of Montreal jeopardizes the supply chain? Please answer with a yes or no.
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
The congestion at any port would have an impact on the supply chain.
Bloc
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Earlier, you told us that Transport Canada was working on projects to improve supply chain fluidity.
Would you be open to Transport Canada leading a pilot project, in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency, to levy fees for clearance services at small municipal ports along the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence? For example, they could look into decongesting the Port of Montreal under the pilot project, which would be monitored, by assigning two officers to the Port of Valleyfield twice a month.
Would you be open to the idea of exploring innovative and creative ways to develop small municipal ports that would not necessarily be turned into ports of entry?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
I would say two things.
I will note that I'm not aware of specific congestion issues related to clearance requirements in the port of Montreal at this time.
With respect to collaboration, as noted—and as announced in budget 2025—we are working with CBSA and Global Affairs to look for opportunities in terms of expanding CBSA services in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence corridor.
Bloc
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Our understanding is that the government has put a lot of effort into the big ports of entry, such as Montreal and Quebec City, which is also an important port.
However, with the exception of the Port of Hamilton, we don't hear much about the small ports. We're looking for creative solutions. Can we think outside the box and support the smaller ports that need the services of a part-time officer a few hours a month? These ports will promote economic development in many regions. Is the department open to discussions or negotiations to identify and test new solutions?
Obviously, Ms. Read, the agency will never have enough personnel to clear all the containers moving through the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence. We need to be innovative. Is the department open to proposals for pilot projects to try other solutions?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
In terms of the rules around clearance—the clearance of containers, specifically—I would have to defer to my colleagues at CBSA.
We will continue to work collaboratively with them regarding the need for, and expansion of, potential services along the St. Lawrence corridor.
Bloc
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
I do know that clearance services fall under the CBSA, but the Minister of Transport plays a strategic role to ensure supply chain fluidity and reduce congestion. There are ports along the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence corridor. With a bit of support from the CBSA, if you were to decide that this pilot would be a strategic measure, the minister has a big say in decisions to trial different innovative solutions. The CBSA doesn't decide that.
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
As I indicated, the Government of Canada, Transport Canada, CBSA and Global Affairs have committed to working collaboratively, and we will continue to do so.
Bloc
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Would you be open to discussing pilot projects? Would you be prepared to think outside the box to test innovative solutions to clear a small number of containers at smaller ports?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
As I noted, we will continue to work collaboratively with CBSA and Global Affairs to look at solutions for the expansion of CBSA's port services.
Bloc
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
As we know, there are two radiation detection portals in Quebec. Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle is less than 40 minutes from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. I think bringing in two officers to clear containers twice a month is reasonable. We expect the department to be open to innovative solutions. I hope we can agree on that.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Jean-Yves Duclos
Thank you, Mrs. DeBellefeuille.
I'll now turn over the floor to Mr. Lloyd for five minutes.
Conservative
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, witnesses.
In your capacity in maritime transport, do you work with helicopter certifications at all?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
No, I'm sorry. I do not.
Conservative
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
In our previous study on combatting auto theft, there were some recommendations related to port policing. Back in the 1990s and previous to that time, there was a robust port policing program in this country. That was replaced. We've had witnesses tell us that it's very difficult when CBSA doesn't have jurisdiction in certain areas. There are cross-jurisdictional issues that are preventing the interdiction of smuggled and stolen goods.
What are the thoughts about port policing right now at Transport Canada?
Director General, Marine Policy, Department of Transport
We work with Canada Port Authorities to look at vulnerabilities from a security perspective. The department has been looking at the security plans of individual ports in order to address and identify potential vulnerabilities.
In terms of port policing, of course, those decisions happened quite a long time ago. They were taken in order to streamline and simplify accountabilities regarding policing. The ports have security capacity, but they are also working with the RCMP and local police in terms of policing and responsibility for criminal activities at the port. The intention at that time—and the continued intention—was to make sure accountabilities are clear in terms of responsibility for policing at ports.
Conservative