The challenges facing the transportation sector in the new dynamic global economy will test the limits of knowledge, technical and financial resources, and the resolve of all participants to an extent never before encountered in Canada. The difficult decisions are yet to come and will present sets of difficult trade-offs for both users and providers of transportation services and equipment. The most difficult trade-offs will be reserved for government, where the commitment for leadership as well as real and expedient action must continue to evolve. If one were to compare safety among modes, highway accident statistics would be roughly similar to one wide-body jet crashing per month. This attitude affects the speed at which government intervenes with regulations and standards for safety.
More interventions are necessary.
Transport Canada has been a major player in the setting of motor vehicle standards and monitoring. Motor vehicle manufacturers have made major contributions to highway safety through improved design and production quality. However, there is no doubt that government safety standards have been a compelling force behind those improvements. Safety standards require continued attention. Given Canada's role and market size, Canada can only achieve the desired improvements through harmonization with other jurisdictions.