The Canada Transportation Act (CTA) emphasizes the policy objective of fostering a "safe, economic, efficient and adequate" transportation system for Canadian shippers and travellers. Section 53 of the CTA calls for a comprehensive review, to be completed by July 1, 2001, of the operation of this Act and any other Act of Parliament for which the Minister of Transport is responsible that pertains to the economic regulation of a mode of transportation and transportation activities under the legislative authority of Parliament. (See Annex 1)

The CTA’s ability to provide the foundation for the kind of transportation system Canadians need stems from the operation of the legislation as well as from the policy objective on which it is based. Both of these elements are considered to be open to review if it is found to be beneficial or required.

ISSUES REQUIRING SPECIAL ATTENTION

Competitive Rail Access Provisions:
The review panel shall consider proposals for enhancing competition in the railway sector, including enhanced running rights, regional railways and other access concepts. These concepts need to be assessed in the broader context of increasing North American integration and ensuring cost effective service for shippers over the long term. The review panel shall submit an interim report on access issues to the Minister of Transport by December 31, 2000.

Other Issues:
The following issues shall be considered in connection with any other matters dealt with by the review panel:

a) the overall effectiveness of the current legislative and regulatory framework in sustaining the high levels of capital expenditures required to enhance productivity and promote innovation

b) the extent to which the current framework supports the efforts of Canadian transportation players to adapt to the new e-business environment and to meet global logistics requirements

c) the extent to which the current framework is appropriate for dealing with the public policy issues that may arise from newly emerging industry structures

d) the extent to which the current framework provides the government with the necessary powers to support sustainable development objectives

e) the advisability of specific measures designed to preserve urban rail corridors for future mass transit use in the rail line abandonment process

f) whether the Canadian Transportation Agency should have the powers to set "maximum" as opposed to "actual" interswitching rates (This matter has been raised by the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations).