Land-use decisions that affect future corridors and gateways

All levels of government need to ensure there is sufficient future transportation corridor capacity when making land use decisions.

Better coordination between the modes so as to optimize the efficiency of the system

Transportation traditionally focused on single modes in isolation from one another: rail, air, roads, and water. In recent years, however, the focus has shifted towards an intermodal approach in which all modes are linked together in a seamless system that is efficient, safe, flexible, environmentally responsible and responsive to user needs.

A well functioning, integrated transportation network facilitates domestic trade, cultural connections and nation building. Making the most of the existing intermodal system and enhancing it for the future will require increased investments in and coordination between gateways, trade corridors, the national highway system, border crossings, rail networks, marine networks, ports, airports, intermodal facilities, major urban roads, and transit. Federal, provincial and territorial, municipal and private sector partners all have a role to play in enhancing the efficiency of Canada's intermodal transportation system.

Dedicated and predictable federal funding support for public transportation infrastructure

Current federal funding programs for public transportation infrastructure provide funding on an ad-hoc and project-by-project basis. This structure makes it difficult for provinces, territories and municipalities to engage in long-term planning processes. The promise to renew existing infrastructure spending programs, and the launching of new Gateway programs that include support to transportation, are encouraging. But the federal government must take an even greater leadership role by providing an adequate, long-term stable funding stream for transportation infrastructure.