No. H023/06
For release May 1st, 2006
OTTAWA — Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities, today appointed Roger Tassé to review decisions and issues
associated with the Toronto Port Authority and the transportation links to the
Toronto City Centre Airport.
The review has been called to provide the Government of Canada with an
independent view of decisions, actions and transactions made concerning
proposals for the link to and the operation of the airport. Mr. Tassé will also
be able to draw upon the outcomes of the work of an accounting expert.
"We are a new government, and there is a long and complex history of activities
surrounding the operation of the Island airport and its transportation links to
the mainland," said Minister Cannon. "Questions have been raised about decisions
made in the past so I have retained the services of an independent advisor to
shed light on those decisions.
"Under these circumstances, conducting a review just makes good sense and is in
the public interest," added Minister Cannon. "I continue to support the ongoing
operation of the Toronto City Centre Airport within the context of the
Tripartite Agreement and will do my part to support its operations."
The Toronto City Centre Airport is operated by the Toronto Port Authority under
the terms of the Tripartite Agreement. The agreement was signed in 1983 by the
City of Toronto, the Toronto Harbour Commissioners (now the Toronto Port
Authority) and the Minister of Transport on behalf of the federal government and
amended by these parties in 2003.
Roger Tassé brings years of experience as a former Deputy Minister of Justice
and Deputy Attorney General of Canada and, since leaving the public service, has
on numerous occasions served as an advisor to government. He is an eminent legal
counsel who has provided a wide range of legal, policy and advisory services on
issues related to public, administrative and constitutional law as well as
legislative, regulatory and administrative matters.
His assignments have included strategic advice on high-profile public issues
where federal, provincial and regional government interests were involved. He
has also provided advice on the management of sensitive and proprietary
commercial development arrangements.
Mr. Tassé is a member of the Bar of Ontario as well as Quebec and practises law
with Gowlings Lafleur Henderson LLP in Ottawa. Mr. Tassé was appointed Queen's
Counsel in 1971 and named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1981.
The report is to be submitted to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities by September 1, 2006.
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Contact:
Huguette Guilhaumon
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
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