Yes, but they're also entitled to apply for funding from the federal government, and quite a large number of port authorities do receive federal funding. Previously, under the Marine Act, they weren't allowed to receive public funding, but then there was a change of legislation allowing all port authorities to apply for federal funding. Subsequently, the Toronto Port Authority, for example, has received quite a lot of federal funding dealing with the airports.
I see that a press release from April 21, 2006, talks about a new public appointments commission, and that it is established that:
The mandate of the Public Appointments Commission is to oversee and report on the...selection processes for Governor in Council appointments to agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations.
That's crown corporations like port authorities. It continues:
The Commission will develop guidelines, review and approve the selection processes proposed by Ministers to fill vacancies within their portfolios, and report publicly on the Government's compliance with the guidelines. ...The Public Appointments Commission is provided for in the Federal Accountability Act which was tabled in the House of Commons on April 11th, 2006.
At that time, the Prime Minister said that:By establishing the Public Appointments Commission, the Government is implementing a key component of its overall plan to strengthen accountability in government as outlined in the Federal Accountability Act...The Commission will provide the necessary oversight—