OTTAWA - The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the approval of the Toronto Pearson International Airport to participate in the international air cargo transshipment program. The program allows air cargo to be moved through the airport for shipment to third countries, allowing it to seek new market opportunities and further develop its air cargo activity.
"Our government is pleased to have the international air cargo transshipment program in place," said Minister Cannon. "The Toronto Pearson International Airport now has an additional tool to help develop its air cargo business, which will benefit the local economy."
The international air cargo transshipment program allows air cargo to be moved through Canada for shipment to third countries. For example, cargo could be flown from the United States into Toronto, stored temporarily, and then flown to an international destination. Similarly, international air cargo could also arrive from overseas and then be shipped by rail or road from Toronto to the United States.
"Canada is a trading nation and we must seize every opportunity to expand free and fair trade," said Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Greater Toronto Area. "Today's announcement sends a clear signal to our trading partners that Canada is indeed open for business. This new program will improve the flow of goods internationally and provide major economic benefits to the Greater Toronto Area and the rest of the country."
"We are pleased with Minister Cannon's announcement and are keen to work with our air carrier partners to ensure the air cargo needs of the Greater Toronto Area are met," said Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. "We view the transshipment program as a positive step towards a more competitive Toronto Pearson. These types of programs and continued work towards liberalized air transport agreements with other countries will allow maximum flexibility for cargo operators."
The program enables the Canadian Transportation Agency to authorize any foreign air carrier to use the Toronto Pearson International Airport to transship international air cargo, even if these rights are not provided in Canada's bilateral air transport agreements. In addition, air carriers will be able to combine such cargo transshipments with other services for which they may be licensed.
Cargo security is addressed during the application process, and on an ongoing basis, in the context of broader security monitoring by Transport Canada and the operational activities of the Canada Border Services Agency.
The international air cargo transshipment program was introduced in 1982 at Mirabel Airport as part of a larger effort to improve the use of Montreal area airports. It has since been expanded to other airports, including Hamilton (1987), Windsor (1993), Gander (2000), Winnipeg (2004), Edmonton (2006), Calgary (2007), and Abbotsford, Vancouver and Moncton (2008). The program is also being introduced at Halifax Stanfield International Airport and at Prince George Airport.
During the course of its international air policy review, Transport Canada determined that Canadian airports should be given the freedom to attract cargo transshipment activity where there are market opportunities, in line with its market-oriented Blue Sky international air policy.
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Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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