Transport Committee on May 30th, 2022

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

This meeting is called to order.

Welcome to meeting No. 20 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, May 5, 2022, the committee is meeting to study the Main Estimates 2022-23.

Today's meeting is taking place in hybrid format, pursuant to the House Order of November 25, 2021. Members are attending in person in the room or remotely using the Zoom application.

Per the directive of the Board of Internal Economy of March 10, 2022, all those attending the meeting in person must wear a mask, except for members who are at their place during proceedings.

Appearing before committee today for the first portion of the meeting we are privileged to have the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, as well as a number of departmental officials. They include Michael Keenan, deputy minister; Craig Hutton, associate assistant deputy minister for policy; Kevin Brosseau, assistant deputy minister, safety and security; Stephanie Hébert, assistant deputy minister for programs; and Ryan Pilgrim, chief financial officer and assistant deputy minister, corporate services.

Minister, on behalf of the committee, I would like to welcome you before committee today to address the main estimates for 2022-23.

Without further ado, it's a pleasure for me to turn the floor over to you for your opening remarks.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Good morning, Mr. Chair.

Hello, everyone.

It's great to be back here. It's my first appearance in person at this committee, although it feels like I've been here quite regularly. I'm always grateful for the opportunity to join you.

Let me repeat that I'm happy to be back in person to present Transport Canada's main estimates for this fiscal year. I want to thank the committee for the valuable work they continue to undertake this session. I welcome this opportunity to highlight some of the important work Transport Canada has been doing on behalf of Canadians.

I'm pleased to be joined today by representatives from Transport Canada: Michael Keenan, deputy minister of transport; Ryan Pilgrim, assistant deputy minister, corporate services and chief financial officer; Stephanie Hébert, assistant deputy minister of programs; Kevin Brosseau, assistant deputy minister of safety and security; and Craig Hutton, associate assistant deputy minister of policy.

Transport Canada's mandate is to ensure that our transportation system is safe and secure, efficient, green and innovative.

Transport Canada's mandate is to ensure that our transportation system is safe and efficient.

The department's planned expenditures in the main estimates for fiscal year 2022-23 fall under four categories essential to maintaining a safe and secure transportation system while keeping people and goods moving. The categories are $1.8 billion under efficient transportation; $419 million under safe and secure transportation; $358 million under green and innovative transportation system; and $196 million for internal services.

Mr. Chair, the events of the past two years have reinforced the critical role played by well-functioning supply chains in supporting good jobs and keeping goods moving.

Robust supply chains are essential to our economy.

It's clear that the quality of our transportation infrastructure and the efficiency of our trade corridors are crucial to our economic and social well-being.

Here it's important to pause for a moment to recognize the exceptional work done by our supply chains and those who work in them during one of the most uncertain times in 100 years. At the height of the pandemic, workers in the sector rose to the occasion and ensured that the goods that Canadians depend on were still being delivered. To the workers in the rail, air, marine and trucking sectors, thank you.

That's not to say there were no challenges. Our government is working to ensure that those challenges are responded to and our supply chains are enhanced, which is why Transport Canada is requesting $1.1 billion for the national trade corridors fund. The fund supports more efficient and resilient supply chains through targeted projects that ease bottlenecks and congestion in Canada's transportation system.

Just last week, I was in New Brunswick to announce funding for two important projects with the Saint John port authority and the New Brunswick Southern Railway. These projects will increase capacity to import and export goods in and out of New Brunswick and will help improve supply chain efficiency for Canadian shippers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a profound impact on Canada's world-leading network of airports.

We know how much the pandemic has affected the airline sector.

That's why these estimates include $270 million for the airport critical infrastructure program. This program helps Canada's larger airports recover economically by making critical investments in safety, security, and connectivity to mass transit.

As we work to ensure a cleaner transportation system, we're seeking $93 million dollars for the incentives for the zero-emission vehicles program. The program aims to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by increasing the adoption of ZEV vehicles through purchase incentives.

I'd also like to highlight some amounts for the federal agencies and Crown corporations within Transport Canada.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, known also as CATSA, is seeking $567 million to deliver security screening of air travellers and their baggage. We understand how frustrating it's been for Canadians to experience long lines and delays at airports and this requested funding, in addition to the approximately 400 new screening officers hired, will help reduce wait times.

Marine Atlantic Inc. is seeking just under $41 million to supports its year-round constitutionally mandated ferry and seasonal ferry service.

Finally, these estimates include $981 million for Via Rail to continue operations of Canada's national passenger rail transportation.

Mr. Chair, as I know the committee is studying reducing travel costs and making Canada's airports more efficient, I'd like to note that several of the funding requests I've mentioned advance these objectives.

The airport critical infrastructure program was created to address the loss of revenue Canada's larger airports faced due to the pandemic, and help ensure that our airports remain viable and continue to provide Canadians with safe, reliable, and efficient travel options, while creating and maintaining good-paying jobs in the airport sector. This program allows these airports to make needed improvements without raising fees for travellers.

Likewise, the airports capital assistance program, which provides financial assistance to Canada's local and regional airports for safety-related infrastructure projects and equipment purchases, was expanded last year to help smaller airports across Canada invest in safety.

In addition, the requested funding for CATSA will aid increasing volumes of baggage and passengers.

Our government provided billions of dollars in support to airports and airlines to help them get through the pandemic and to ensure they could retain staff. We will continue to support airports through their recovery.

As we focus on the future, the transportation sector will be vital to Canada's economic recovery. I'm confident that the investments outlined in these main estimates will help advance a transportation system that is safer, cleaner, and more competitive.

Mr. Chair, I look forward to answering my colleagues questions.

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Minister.

To begin the line of questioning for today, we will go with Ms. Lantsman.

Ms. Lantsman, the floor is yours. You have six minutes.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Thank you to the minister and his officials for being here.

I'll jump right into my questions.

Industry experts and media organizations have been saying for months, as you alluded to in your remarks, that there would be a surge in air travel post-COVID. Did the government have a plan to ensure that a transition back to post-COVID travel was...or did you have a plan at all?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

As I alluded to in my remarks, there are significant dollars being asked for through the main estimates to help CATSA and airports. These estimates were not written yesterday, last week, or even a month ago; they were written months ago, obviously to illustrate that we have been preparing and planning for the increased travel volume as we expected with the pandemic turning a corner.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Thanks.

Mr. Chair, is the minister waiting for an okay on the estimates to implement any plan on post-COVID travel in airports?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, not at all.

Our work has been ongoing for weeks, in fact for months, and certainly in the last few weeks there has been a heightened sense of urgency given the surge in volumes that we're witnessing not only at Canadian airports, but also at airports around the world. But it does not mean that we shouldn't increase our activities in responding to those surges. So, we are, and we have been supporting CATSA, supporting airports, supporting CBSA, to respond to this new volume level, Mr. Chair.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

I'll go back to CATSA and, in some cases, CBSA. Is the minister aware of any other jurisdiction in the world that doesn't allow unvaccinated domestic travel?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, countries around the world today still have vaccine mandates. I just travelled to Germany and the U.S. Both require travellers to be vaccinated prior to entering their country.

In fact, the U.S. requires a predeparture test even if you are vaccinated.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Is the minister aware, though, of any country that restricts domestic travel of its own citizens on airplanes or trains with a travel mandate?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, different countries make different decisions on the policies to protect their citizens. All along, our government has committed to Canadians to do our best to protect the health and safety of travellers and of those who work in the industry. We consult our experts and scientists and make decisions based on what we think is the best for Canadians and the Canadian economy. We are always assessing our measures. We have lifted many of those measures as we have felt confident that it's safe to do so. We are constantly assessing and reassessing.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, I think the answer is “no”.

Is there any specific health advice that the minister has seen to continue 4,000 tests a day in airports as well as stopping almost five million Canadians from domestic air travel because of mandates? We asked other members in the House and nobody can point to any specific advice that has led the government to this decision.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, over the last two years we have had to implement a range of measures. Those measures have helped save lives. Canada has one of the lowest death rates in the world because Canadians continue to follow public health advice to get vaccinated.

I understand that there are always questions about the right types of measures and the right range of protections. We are being thoughtful and careful and we are erring on the side of safety because we want to make sure that we are protecting lives, Mr. Chair.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, while I appreciate what Canadians have done during this pandemic, my question was this: Has the minister seen any specific public health advice to lead him to continue to have mandates in place for domestic travel in this country, yes or no?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Yes, Mr. Chair.

We have all the science and advice that guide our decisions. Whether it's random testing at airports or vaccine mandates, those are all guided by data.

As I said, the data proves that Canada has one of the lowest death rates in the world. We need to acknowledge that and we need to remain vigilant as the virus remains with us and as the pandemic is not over. We have lifted many of our public health measures and we are constantly assessing those measures to do the right thing to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

Of course, Mr. Chair, we are guided by data, experts and scientists.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, the minister just said that he has seen specific health advice to keep the mandates in place in Canada. I'd like to know if he will table that specific health advice with this committee.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, I'm happy to table any data that the member is not aware of that prove that vaccines save lives, that Canada has one of the lowest death rates in the world and that vaccines have provided a great service to humanity.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

With due respect, that wasn't the question.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

We are continuously guided by vaccine advice and requirements because we want to protect the health and safety of Canadians, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Peter Schiefke]

Thank you very much, Ms. Lantsman, and thank you very much, Minister.

Next we go to Mr. Chahal.

You have six minutes. The floor is yours.

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Minister and departmental officials, for joining us here today at committee.

I'll get right into the questions, Minister.

Can you elaborate on how our government has been helping airports and CATSA plan for recovery of prepandemic levels of passengers? How is this reflected in the main estimates?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

During the pandemic, we've seen something that we had never seen in our lifetime. Air travel shrunk by 90%. It was down to 10% of what it normally was. We've seen the devastating impact that has had on airports, airlines and those who work in the aviation sector.

Our government stepped up, because we understand the importance of airports and the aviation sector. We've been providing significant investments in that sector to a total of $11 billion. Airports, airlines, businesses and workers have received support at the height of the pandemic and throughout that period. That includes CATSA.

As I mentioned in my remarks, there are significant funds being asked for through the main estimates, and that is to build on the support we've asked for over the last year and a half to support the sector.

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Minister, is it true, as we have heard Conservatives allege, that Canada is the only country that still has public health mandates in place for air travellers?

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

No, it's not true. I alluded to some of those countries in my remarks. I just travelled to Germany and the U.S. Both Germany and the U.S. have public health measures for travellers. France has public health measures and requires travellers to either be vaccinated or tested prior to entry. Australia, Japan.... In fact, Italy still has a vaccine mandate for domestic travellers.

There are many measures, and I'm happy to table with the committee many countries that have public health measures for travellers, either domestically or at the border.

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Minister, why do we still require travellers to wear masks, and would dropping the mask mandate do anything to speed up lines at our airports?