Canada is a nation built on transportation infrastructure, yet this is the first time in Canadian history that such a select group of transportation decision-makers has gathered to look at how we can improve transportation for the future. This meeting has been a gathering of the transportation elite. It is very clear in listening to the views expressed here that these issues need to be raised with the general public. Transportation issues do not figure high in the priorities of Canadians. We need to raise the level of awareness about the link between transportation issues and quality of life.
Safety is the number one priority.
A number of questions were raised. Much of the discussion on sustainability focused on the effect transportation has on air quality, environmental health and the quality of our own health. The key question is what role the federal government should play in urban transport. The survey strongly suggests that the federal government should be visionary and play a leadership role. Federal spending powers could be used, in cooperation with the provinces, to assist with urban transit and commuter priorities.