Minister Lebel reiterated Canada's position on the International Civil Aviation Organization at the International Transport Forum's 2013 Summit

OTTAWA, May 23, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, promoted Montreal as the best city in the world to host the International Civil Aviation Organization at the International Transport Forum's (ITF's) 2013 Summit in Leipzig, Germany this week.

He emphasized the importance of keeping Montreal as the head office of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). "Canada has been proud to work with ICAO and to support its efforts to enhance the integrity of the global aviation system," said Minister Lebel. "Canada has hosted ICAO since 1947 and is committed to signing a new 20-year agreement with ICAO to maintain the stability of its headquarters."

In his speeches at the conference, Minister Lebel explained Canada's approach to using public-private partnerships (P3s) to finance a number of major federal bridge projects. Under the new Building Canada Fund, projects with capital costs of more than $100 million will be assessed to determine if better value for money can be achieved through a P3 model. To illustrate the government's collaborative work, Minister Lebel highlighted the Detroit River International Crossing, and the new bridge for the St. Lawrence River.

"We are proud that several transportation colleagues said they look at Canada as a world leader for the use of P3s," said Minister Lebel. "We encourage the use of P3s where we provide funding to projects managed by provinces, territories and municipalities."

Minister Lebel also highlighted Canada's successful strategic gateways and trade corridors approach to identifying strategic investments and enhancing collaboration between the private and the public sector. "Canada's gateways and trade corridors support our global competitiveness, economic prosperity, and cross-border cooperation," said Minister Lebel.

The International Transport Forum's annual summit brings together 54 countries and up to 1,000 participants, including transportation ministers, senior officials from the business community, private stakeholders and researchers, and members of the international media. It aims to find solutions to global transport-related issues and foster a deeper understanding of the integral role transportation plays in the world economy. The broad range of participants makes the forum unique among multilateral organizations.

Minister Lebel will host a media availability to share highlights from his participation in the International Transport Forum's 2013 Summit, Funding Transport, at 12:30 (EDT time) today. In order to join the call, media must pre-register before 12:15 with Transport Canada's media relations by calling 613-993-0055.

SOURCE: Transport Canada

Contacts:
Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of
Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Minister of
Intergovernmental Affairs
Ottawa 613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.