Much of Canada’s trade moves through federal transportation assets, such as the St. Lawrence Seaway, major ports, airports, and land border crossings. These assets are vital to the country’s trade and economic competitiveness.

“Our transportation infrastructure is critical to the Canadian economy.  That is why we are taking steps to improve our understanding of climate change-related risks and vulnerabilities. Ultimately, this will allow us to strengthen the resilience of our federal transportation assets.”

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

• Transportation and warehousing are important to the Canadian economy, representing 4.5% of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016.

• Climate change and extreme weather events can damage transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges, rail lines, ports and airports, which can cause costly travel and transport delays and undermine the safety of our transportation system.

• Climate risk assessments provide foundational information on what infrastructure components may be vulnerable to climate and weather-related hazards. Asset owners can then use this information to identify and prioritize actions and strategies that can improve the resilience and adaptability of their infrastructure and operations to the changing climate.
  

Associated Links

• The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change
• Transport Canada’s 2017-2020 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Delphine Denis
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
Delphine.denis@tc.gc.ca
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
Media@tc.gc.ca
613-993-0055