Transport Committee on May 7th, 2007

[Louis Ranger]

As the minister mentioned, the one issue--“deficiency” was the word used by the AG--was that they didn't have control systems that were complete enough to give assurances to management and to the minister that the corporation was as efficient as it could be. We didn't have the indicators, the measurements, the data to do that. So with respect to the recommendations, in the form of better data, better systems, we'll share that with you.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Is that something that happened because this is a whole new area for all of us or because of a deliberate omission?

[Louis Ranger]

It's a new corporation, and there are a lot of things to do at the same time.

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

It's growing pains.

[Louis Ranger]

We didn't have all of the management tools in place to give you, Minister, and everybody else the assurance that the corporation is operating as effectively as it should, but we believe the corporation is meeting its basic mandate.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

In terms of funding for security related to aviation, can you give us an idea of what new funding our new Conservative government has made available to ensure that safety and security in the airline industry is something we can be proud of and that Canadians can rely on?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

In terms of the budget this year, you're looking at $455 million for CATSA. There has been an increase in the security measures. We have also put the restricted access identity card in place, which wasn't there before. In terms of air cargo, we've committed a certain amount of money to pilot projects to make sure that systems are in place so we can evaluate their performance. There is money in the budget to enable CATSA to modernize some of its equipment. After a certain number of years, in some cases that equipment is not performing as it was before. There have been, not only in the sector of aviation I would say but also in terms of maritime security, appreciable amounts of money that have been dedicated to that purpose.

All in all, I'd say the government has stepped up from what the previous government left behind.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

Some time ago we had representatives from both the Montreal airport authority and the Toronto airport authority before us. One issue that was significant to me was air cargo and the fact that historically we've done very little, if anything, to ensure that the cargo that goes on our planes is secure. In fact, I was amazed to hear that by far the largest majority of cargo actually ends up on passenger planes, not just cargo planes.

Is that something you consider to be of serious concern? If so, what steps are you taking to specifically address that with the companies that work with our cargo?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

We are beefing up our operations in that sense. I referred earlier to our air cargo security in Budget 2006. Incidentally, we allocated $26 million over a two-year period for the design and pilot testing of air cargo security initiatives. That wasn't done previously, so work is currently under way to develop effective measures to ensure that cargo security is there throughout the whole supply chain and that we are able to evaluate leading-edge screening technologies.

This is a dynamic process. You just can't say, “Okay, everything is done”. You have to continue to develop the new technologies and adapt them to the changing environment. In that regard, that's what we're doing.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

The testimony before us indicated that to implement full air cargo security systems would be horrifically expensive. Is there some plan to phase this in over time?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

We all have to be cognizant of the way we as a government have acted on this issue and several issues. It's done on a risk management basis. What does risk management mean? Fundamentally, it means we observe where the more problematic areas could be and we go forward to make sure those issues are dealt with.

I'll give you an example. In the realm of public transit, we introduced a program that will help our transit corporations throughout the country deal with any threat of terrorism and be able to build upon and write up a plan in case of any contingency that might occur. We've done it on the basis of what the larger areas are and what would be targeted by terrorists in those areas. We have managed the risk where there would be the highest potential for danger and then moved down the line like that.

Clearly, the Government of Canada doesn't commit to every kind of threat. There are higher threats and lower threats. There are higher-risk threats and lower ones. For instance, the possibility of public transit being targeted in a small community is less than it would be in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver. That's the way we function through all areas of transportation.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Mr. Ranger.

[Louis Ranger]

It will be very expensive. The government has given us $26 million to set up pilot projects to make sure we design this properly. It took a little while at Treasury Board, but they've now declared this to be what they call a major crown project. That is bureaucratic language for saying, “Get it right because we're going to be investing a lot of money in this”. So that's an indication of what the priority is.

[The Chair, Conservative, Merv Tweed]

Thank you.

Monsieur Bélanger.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Good afternoon, Mr. Minister. Welcome to the committee.

In last year's supplementary estimates, a small transfer of approximately $16,000 was made to the National Capital Commission, from vote 1 to vote 45, in order to make up for the shortfall for costs associated to the rental of the Queensway-Carleton Hospital, and this was subsequently reduced to $1. If this amount part and parcel of the main estimates for the fiscal year 2007-2008?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

Yes, that can be found in the main estimates.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Can you tell me where that can be found?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

The deputy minister will—

[Louis Ranger]

It can be found in the main estimates, under vote 1. It is part of the $318 million.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Can we have a—

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

Are you talking about a breakdown?

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

I'm talking about the $318 million. I think a breakdown is needed. What is the amount this year?

[Lawrence Cannon, Conservative, Pontiac, QC]

It is $23,000.

[André Morency, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services, Department of Transport]

It is $23,000.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

It is the same amount as the previous rent.