Five projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the freight transportation sector have been selected to receive funding under Transport Canada’s Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program.

Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced that the selected projects will receive funding totalling approximately $582,000. This funding will support a variety of initiatives ranging from enhancing the fuel efficiency of aircraft engines to the management of fuel consumption by trucking companies using a satellite tracking system.

“The companies awarded funding under this program have shown innovation and a willingness to experiment,” said Minister Cannon. “The results have the potential to enhance not only our environment, but also the processes and equipment that we use in freight transportation every day.”

The following organizations will receive funding under the program: Freight Wing Incorporated, Sunbury Transport Limited, Jazz Air Limited Partnership, Polymer Distribution Incorporated and Ronald A. Chisholm Limited.

The Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program supports the demonstration and evaluation of innovative tools, technologies and practices that have the potential to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions from the freight transportation sector in Canada. The Government of Canada will contribute up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses, to a maximum of $250,000, with applicants and their partners contributing the remainder.

This announcement represents the eighth round of funding under the program, and brings the total funding allocated under the program to approximately $4.7 million for 34 projects across Canada.

More information is available on the Freight Sustainability Demonstration Program.

Tags: greenhouse gas, freight, canada, emissions, sustainability, infrastructure, communities

If you’re looking to get the latest information about transports, in Canada, one of your favorite destinations could be the Transport Canada web site which is the national online gateway to the latest news, the regulations and countless tips on various subjects.

Here’s a list of regional offices for Transport Canada:

• Pacific Region (British Columbia)
• Prairie and Northern Region (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut)
• Ontario Region (Ontario)
• Quebec Region (Québec)
• Atlantic Region (New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland & Labrador)

To complement Transport Canada’s links, consider these Provincial and Territorial ministries responsible for transportation:

• Alberta – Alberta Transportation
• British Columbia – Ministry of Transportation
• Manitoba – Manitoba Transportation and Government Services
• New Brunswick – Department of Transportation
• Newfoundland and Labrador – Department of Works, Services & Transportation
• Northwest Territories – Department of Transportation
• Nova Scotia – Transportation & Public Works
• Nunavut – Community Government and Transportation
• Ontario – Ministry of Transportation
• Prince Edward Island – Transportation and Public Works
• Quebec – Transports Québec
• Saskatchewan – Highways and Transportation
• Yukon Territory – Highways and Public Works

Transportation is essential to our well-being. Canadians need a reliable, safe and sustainable transportation system to connect our communities, and to connect us with our trading partners.

Transport Canada works to help ensure that Canadians have the best transportation system by developing and administering policies, regulations and programs for a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation system; contributing to Canada’s economic growth and social development; and, protecting the physical environment.

The department employs approximately 4,700 people at headquarters in Ottawa and in locations across Canada. The headquarters organization is made up of a number of groups:

• Policy overview
• Safety and Security
• Programs Group
• Corporate Services
• Departmental General Counsel
• Communications

Transport Canada takes an active role in communities across Canada. Together, Transport Canada’s groups and regions work to:

• Set policies, regulations and standards to protect the safety, security and efficiency of Canada’s rail, marine, road and air transportation systems, including the transportation of dangerous goods and sustainable development.
• Work in partnership with other federal, provincial, territorial and municipal departments and organizations, the Transportation Safety Board, the Canadian Transportation Agency, NAV CANADA, other private organizations, stakeholders, and members of the transportation industry.
• Promote and enforce departmental policies, regulations and standards through inspection, education and consultation.
• Monitor and assess the performance of the transportation system.
• Administer the transfer of ports, harbours and airports to communities and other interests and operate the facilities not yet divested.

You can get in touch with Transport Canada by calling (613) 990-2309.

Tags: transport canada, facilities, ports, harbours, airports, highways, communities, federal, provincial, territorial

Mark your calendar right away for November 29th – December 1st, 2006. The International WorkBoat Show is expected to be quite an event. It’ll be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Here are two worthy comments about the show:

Dave Krapf, Editor of WorkBoat Magazine

“It’s important to continue the WorkBoat Show’s long association with New Orleans for several reasons.

The city and surrounding region remains a hotbed of workboat activity. It’s where the offshore workboat industry got its start over 50 years ago when New Orleans-based Tidewater launched the first energy service vessel.

It is also where WorkBoat Magazine was founded over 60 years ago and has been the only home of the International WorkBoat Show.

We want to send a message that the region is still important to the industry and help support the region’s post-Katrina rebuilding effort by bringing the industry’s largest show back to New Orleans in 2006.”

New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau

“The commitment of New Orleans to a flawless experience for our customers means unequivocally that your hotel partner and this city will not re-open for meetings and convention business until we are fully prepared to deliver an experience that meets both your and our highest standards. Rest assured that we will always err on the side of both safety and quality for you.”

This year’s show promises to be the largest gathering and industry celebration as thousands of commercial marine professionals reunite for the first time since the 2004 event.

Reconnect with suppliers and distributors, and renew these important relationships; check in with friends, clients and competitors and share in their experiences; and get a pulse on the market on the show floor and at the industry session.

It’s been a long year for some in the commercial marine market, with the impact of hurricanes being felt far and wide. Join us as we celebrate the rebuilding, rebirth and resilience of businesses and people in our industry and communities.

Tags: international, workboat, shows, rebuilding, marine market, hurricanes, rebirth, resilience, communities