No. H030/05 For release March 11, 2005 MORE FUNDING FOR NATIONAL SAFETY CODE SAINT JOHN – Francis Scarpaleggia, M.P. (Lac-Saint-Louis), on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, today announced $17.6 million in funding to help the provinces and territories continue to implement the National Safety Code. The funding will further efforts to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in road fatalities and serious injuries by 2010 – part of the national Road Safety Vision 2010 effort. This vision, an initiative of federal, provincial and territorial governments and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, aims to raise awareness of road safety issues, improve cooperation between safety agencies and toughen enforcement. "The National Safety Code encourages truck and bus safety and promotes efficiency in the motor carrier industry," said Mr. Lapierre. "The continued funding will help to achieve consistent safety standards in the Canadian transportation system." "Canadians across the country can benefit from today's announcement," said Mr. Scarpaleggia. "This funding enables each province and territory to continue to improve safety-related standards for truck and bus drivers." At the end of last fiscal year, Transport Canada had contributed $68.8 million to the provinces and territories to support the National Safety Code. This round of funding will be allocated between 2005 and 2008 and will be directed towards implementing a harmonized motor carrier safety regime across Canada. The code, which was started in 1987, is a comprehensive program made up of 15 safety standards covering all driver, vehicle and operator aspects of commercial vehicle safety. These standards cover areas such as safety ratings, commercial vehicle maintenance and inspections, and driver examiner training programs. Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget. A backgrounder on the National Safety Code is attached. - 30 - Contacts: Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 Anne-Marie Bouchard Communications Transport Canada, Ottawa (613) 993-0055 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. BACKGROUNDER NATIONAL SAFETY CODE In 1987, the federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for transportation and highway safety agreed to develop and implement a National Safety Code to encourage trucking safety, promote efficiency in the motor carrier industry, and achieve consistent safety standards in this area across Canada. The code was based on a consolidation of existing provincial and territorial legislation and regulations, supplemented with new initiatives designed to further enhance safety across the country. Safety-related National Safety Code standards cover safety ratings, facility audits, driver and carrier profile systems, trip inspection reports, driver hours of service, commercial vehicle maintenance and inspections, and load security. The code¿s administrative standards cover self-certification for drivers, single-driver licensing, a classified driver licence system, medical standards, knowledge and performance testing, and a driver-examiner training program. Between 1987 and 2000, the Government of Canada contributed $44 million towards the development and enforcement of National Safety Code safety standards. Federal, provincial and territorial officials determined and agreed on the allocation of these funds. Federal funding was subject to each province and territory meeting performance targets and information requirements. In addition, $7 million in funding was approved in 1999-2000 for the upgrade and enhancement of technologically advanced provincial and territorial systems required to capture, integrate and transmit carrier, driver and vehicle data from roadside inspections and facility audits. Once captured, on-road data is forwarded to the carrier’s home jurisdiction for incorporation in the carrier’s safety performance assessment. Between 2001 and 2004, $17.8 million was allocated to the program. Funds were directed towards developing the provinces and territories’ systems required to implement the National Safety Code and towards assessing motor carrier safety across Canada in accordance with the code’s safety rating regime. The most recent round of funding is providing $17.6 million between 2005 and 2008. Funds are being directed towards the safety fitness system in Canada. Funding for 2005-2008 will be allocated as follows: British Columbia $1,511,840 Alberta $1,994,640 Saskatchewan $1,132,480 Manitoba $1,075,000 Ontario $4,362,680 Quebec $2,891,280 New Brunswick $ 868,080 Nova Scotia $1,212,960 Prince Edward Island $ 592,200 Newfoundland and Labrador $ 707,160 Yukon $ 511,720 Northwest Territories $ 511,720 Nunavut $ 200,000
