Canada
Mr/Madame Chairperson,
Since transport was last addressed at the 9th Session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development in 2001, Canada has undertaken a number of
significant initiatives to improve the sustainability of our transportation system.
We are working actively with our domestic and international partners to move
people and goods more efficiently and with less of an impact on our environment.
Improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions in transportation are among
the greatest challenges facing the sector. Canada is using a full suite of policy,
regulatory, and funding instruments to address these challenges.
In 2007, the Government of Canada introduced a multi-year $463 million
ecoTRANSPORT Strategy to improve efficiency and reduce air emissions and
energy use in the transportation sector. The Strategy has provided financial
support to communities for transportation demand management projects;
invested in the development and uptake of environmental technologies for
personal vehicles and freight; and provided drivers with information and decisionmaking
tools to help them reduce fuel consumption.
Advanced technologies will be a vital part of a sustainable transportation future.
Canada is actively fostering the development and use of cleaner sustainable
transportation systems, vehicles, and fuels by supporting collaborative Research
and Development (R&D) projects in areas such as alternative fuels, nextgeneration
manufacturing, advanced power trains and sustainable materials.
We are also taking action on a regulatory front. Canada is developing
greenhouse gas emissions regulations for new cars and light trucks for the 2011
and later model years. Air pollutant emission regulations for the rail industry are
also being developed and will take effect in 2011. We are engaging with
agencies of the United Nations, specifically the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to
support stringent marine and aviation carbon emissions standards and reporting.
Canada was pleased by the IMO?s recent decision to adopt the North American
Emission Control Area proposed by Canada and the United States with the
support of France, which will result in the implementation of uniform
environmental standards that control and reduce air pollution generated by
shipping activity in designated waters off North American coasts.
Finally, Canada is investing in sustainable transportation infrastructure through a
Building Canada Fund, Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, and other funds. These
funds support public transit, short-sea shipping, shortline railways, and roads and
bridges incorporating sustainability projects. In the area of public transit,
Canadian communities are implementing a number of successful projects,
including a new rapid rail line in the region of Vancouver, recently showcased
during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
As we work together with other levels of government and transportation
stakeholders, these initiatives are bringing us closer to achieving our vision for
sustainable transportation in Canada, although we recognize that much work
remains to be done.
Mr/Madame Chairperson, Canada remains committed to working with our
domestic partners and the international community to address the challenges we
face in working towards a more sustainable transportation system. Continuing
dialogue in international fora such as this one, is essential to our continued
progress. I thank you for the opportunity to speak and I look forward to learning
about examples of best practices from other nations.
Since transport was last addressed at the 9th Session of the Commission on
Sustainable Development in 2001, Canada has undertaken a number of
significant initiatives to improve the sustainability of our transportation system.
We are working actively with our domestic and international partners to move
people and goods more efficiently and with less of an impact on our environment.
Improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions in transportation are among
the greatest challenges facing the sector. Canada is using a full suite of policy,
regulatory, and funding instruments to address these challenges.
In 2007, the Government of Canada introduced a multi-year $463 million
ecoTRANSPORT Strategy to improve efficiency and reduce air emissions and
energy use in the transportation sector. The Strategy has provided financial
support to communities for transportation demand management projects;
invested in the development and uptake of environmental technologies for
personal vehicles and freight; and provided drivers with information and decisionmaking
tools to help them reduce fuel consumption.
Advanced technologies will be a vital part of a sustainable transportation future.
Canada is actively fostering the development and use of cleaner sustainable
transportation systems, vehicles, and fuels by supporting collaborative Research
and Development (R&D) projects in areas such as alternative fuels, nextgeneration
manufacturing, advanced power trains and sustainable materials.
We are also taking action on a regulatory front. Canada is developing
greenhouse gas emissions regulations for new cars and light trucks for the 2011
and later model years. Air pollutant emission regulations for the rail industry are
also being developed and will take effect in 2011. We are engaging with
agencies of the United Nations, specifically the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to
support stringent marine and aviation carbon emissions standards and reporting.
Canada was pleased by the IMO?s recent decision to adopt the North American
Emission Control Area proposed by Canada and the United States with the
support of France, which will result in the implementation of uniform
environmental standards that control and reduce air pollution generated by
shipping activity in designated waters off North American coasts.
Finally, Canada is investing in sustainable transportation infrastructure through a
Building Canada Fund, Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, and other funds. These
funds support public transit, short-sea shipping, shortline railways, and roads and
bridges incorporating sustainability projects. In the area of public transit,
Canadian communities are implementing a number of successful projects,
including a new rapid rail line in the region of Vancouver, recently showcased
during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
As we work together with other levels of government and transportation
stakeholders, these initiatives are bringing us closer to achieving our vision for
sustainable transportation in Canada, although we recognize that much work
remains to be done.
Mr/Madame Chairperson, Canada remains committed to working with our
domestic partners and the international community to address the challenges we
face in working towards a more sustainable transportation system. Continuing
dialogue in international fora such as this one, is essential to our continued
progress. I thank you for the opportunity to speak and I look forward to learning
about examples of best practices from other nations.
Doc Fr
Stakeholders