Transport Minister, U.S. Transportation Secretary discuss air liberalization, border capacity

OTTAWA, Ont. Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre and U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, in a meeting at the Canadian Airports Council Open Skies Forum this week, discussed several issues important to the North American transportation agenda.

One key area of discussion focussed on commercial air liberalization. Lapierre and Mineta called the 1995 Canada-U.S. air transportation agreement a success for both countries, and one they can both continue to build on. They agreed to exchange views and discuss opportunities while consultations continue domestically within Canada, and to begin exploratory discussions in the near future to consider a framework to complete the liberalization process between the two countries.

Lapierre and Mineta also discussed the pressing need to increase border capacity at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway.

"Our governments are committed to an efficient and secure Windsor-Detroit Gateway and will continue to work together, through the Bi-National Partnership, to expedite the planning and environmental studies so future traffic demands across this vital gateway can be accommodated as early as possible," said Lapierre.

Both governments are moving ahead with the next phase in the process, which is the coordinated bi-national environmental assessment. This assessment will allow them to decide on the location of a new or expanded international crossing taking into account the impact on the environment and local communities.

The assessment will be completed by the end of 2007, by which time the partnership will have developed, consulted on and carried out the preliminary design of a recommended plan for additional border capacity.

Construction would begin in 2010, leading to the opening of additional crossing capacity in 2013.