Public Safety Committee on April 21st, 2026

[Ali Ehsassi, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

No, I appreciate that. That's why I prefaced it by saying there are 100 different docks and ports. I presume that the three departments together are going through this list. How do you decide between the various ones? It would be inconceivable for resources to be provided to all 100. In terms of looking at the comparative advantages of each one of these docks or ports, how do you assess them vis-à-vis one another and decide which ones to proceed with?

[Sonya Read]

We have been looking at things on a corridor basis to identify issues along corridors. To the extent that you're looking at potential areas where there may be congestion or choke points, those would certainly be priorities when we are talking to potential project proponents who would be interested, for example, in addressing issues, and it may require the expansion of CBSA services as a part of that initiative. As I said, a part of this is happening under the first stream of the trade diversification corridors fund.

[Ali Ehsassi, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Would it be correct to presume that there are questionnaires that you're sending out to each one of these operators or owners who are interested in expanding their services? What is the process that goes into it?

[Sonya Read]

As I said, the analysis is twofold. There is an analysis that is done at a corridor level that is not looking at the individual ports. It's more about the issues along corridors to identify potential choke points and congestion areas, as I said. Stream one of the trade diversification corridors fund is by invitation, and it is looking at reaching out to potential project proponents who may have projects that would help address those issues.

[Ali Ehsassi, Liberal, Willowdale, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Jean-Yves Duclos]

Thank you.

You have the floor for two and a half minutes, Mrs. DeBellefeuille.

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC]

Thank you very much.

Ms. Read, when construction of the Gordie Howe Bridge started, the policy called for the agency to train 46 officers. When the government's strategy and policy officers decided to expand the Port of Montreal, they asked the agency to train officers in anticipation of the expansion in order to undertake clearance. In my opinion, determining whether or not the workforce at specialized ports along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence need to be increased is a strategic decision. As such, I don't necessarily share your opinion about deferring to the agency at all times.

The Port of Valleyfield is near Glencore, which recycles zinc. The ore is delivered in bulk by boat. These boats carry two containers and have to make a mandatory stop at the Montreal port of entry to have the containers cleared, and this adds to congestion at the port. The containers are offloaded and trucked to the Port of Valleyfield.

Now, could you tell me whether you sincerely believe that this approach reduces congestion in the supply chain?

Wouldn't it be easier to staff the Port of Valleyfield with two officers for what would amount to four work days a month so that the Port of Montreal doesn't have to clear two or three containers on a boat that is mostly carrying bulk cargo?

Given the resources at hand, wouldn't it be more reasonable to back an innovative solution rather than forcing vessels that mostly carry bulk cargo to stop and clear containers in Montreal?

[Sonya Read]

I understand that the CBSA may have responded to some other questions while they were here, but they would be best placed to speak to the whole question of the infrastructure and equipment needed to support the presence or the—

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC]

No, I'm not talking about equipment. I'm talking about ensuring supply chain fluidity, which is your strategic role. I'm talking about a vessel loaded with bulk cargo that stops at the Port of Montreal to clear two containers, which are then trucked to, and offloaded at, Valleyfield.

Do you think this strategic policy decision made by the government is logical and makes the supply chain more fluid?

[The Chair, Liberal, Jean-Yves Duclos]

Unfortunately, the two and half minutes are up.

I'll now turn the floor over to MP Au for five minutes.

[Chak Au, Conservative, Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC]

Ms. Read, thank you for your attendance.

In your opening remarks, you talked about the five areas of your mandate: safety, security, efficiency, the environment and technological advances. Do you do self-assessments from time to time? If so, what measures do you use to measure your performance, and what has been your most recent assessment of your performance in these five areas? For example, was performance very good in one of them or very bad in another? What has been the assessment of these five areas?

[Sonya Read]

With respect to the performance of the department across the full spectrum of its mandate, I would refer to the departmental planning and reporting process, which explains how we have met different targets under the various elements of our mandate.

[Chak Au, Conservative, Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC]

In general terms, can you confirm that the mandate has largely been met?

[Sonya Read]

Once again, I think our departmental performance reports demonstrate how and to what extent Transport Canada is fulfilling its role within the Government of Canada and pursuant to its legislation and programming mandate.

[Chak Au, Conservative, Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC]

Okay.

You mentioned that your focus is on supply diversification. This is the committee concerning public safety and national security, and sometimes I think efficiency and security can be in conflict. We know that the CBSA has said that scanning of containers in and out of the country has been very limited. From your perspective at Transport Canada, do you think that's a very acceptable situation?

[Sonya Read]

I would defer to the CBSA in terms of getting the balance right between the fluidity of—

[Chak Au, Conservative, Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC]

From your perspective, though.... Of course, the CBSA would have its point of view, but from Transport Canada's perspective, is the limited scanning of containers in and out of the country acceptable?

[Sonya Read]

Transport Canada is going to be working with the CBSA and with Global Affairs Canada to ensure that we have the infrastructure and the services in place to support our trade diversification objectives.

[Chak Au, Conservative, Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC]

I hope that, for my next question, you won't defer it to another department.

My colleague has mentioned that the time for clearance has been a problem at the port of Montreal. Again, do you have a standard for the port of Montreal for the clearance time? Do you have a standard, and if you do, what has been the performance?

[Sonya Read]

My understanding is that the general standard is about three days in terms of dwell time for clearance of different containers through the port of Montreal.

[Chak Au, Conservative, Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC]

Is there any data about the actual performance? What percentage would have to go for more than four days?

[Mathieu Grenier, Director, Marine Analysis, Department of Transport]

Can I jump in, Mr. Chair?

The three-day standard includes the time the container is on the dock to the time it's put on rail and evacuated from the port, so it includes the clearance. We're not aware of any clearance issues. It's more a question of evacuating the container through rail or through truck from that port.

[Chak Au, Conservative, Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC]

My colleagues have all pointed out that there's a problem with the time for clearance. Are you saying there's no problem?

[Mathieu Grenier]

We're not aware of a clearance—

[Sonya Read]

We're not aware of a specific issue.