2009-2010 Annual Report Charts Agency's Success as a Leading Canadian
Tribunal

OTTAWA, Aug. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Transportation Agency today released its 2009-2010 Annual Report, providing an overview of the Agency's efforts in support of making Canada's national transportation system more competitive, efficient and accessible.

The Annual Report assesses the Agency's progress in achieving the targets it set forth in its 2008-2011 Strategic Plan - now entering its final year - and helps the Agency outline current priorities and define those it will pursue in the future.

It also highlights numerous accomplishments for 2009-2010, which for example saw the Agency:

    
    -  Issue more than 2,600 rulings in areas such as rail noise and
       vibration, travellers with allergies, public passenger rail cost
       determinations, airline tariff clarity and railway level of service;

    -  Implement a more efficient client-centred inquiry system and began to
       survey key stakeholders on their satisfaction with Agency services;

    -  Launch innovative, accessible electronic formats of popular Agency
       publications and became one of the first federal government bodies to
       make publications available for download in DAISY format - a digital
       talking book that makes print publications more accessible to persons
       who are blind or have a visual impairment;

    -  Initiate major projects such as a review of the Railway Interswitching
       Regulations, as well as consultations on the Agency's cost of capital
       methodology and in support of the development of revised guidelines
       respecting coasting trade licence applications for the use of foreign
       ships in Canadian waters.
    

"Over the past year, the Agency enhanced its outreach to stakeholders and clients in an effort to better understand their needs," said Geoff Hare, Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "This Annual Report demonstrates that we are continuing to build on the Agency's legacy as a leading tribunal and economic regulator, delivering high quality, responsive services."

For the first time, the Agency will distribute its Annual Report primarily in electronic format and on CD. As in the past, the Annual Report is available in multiple formats on its Web site at www.cta.gc.ca and upon request by calling 1-888-222-2592.

About the Agency

The Canadian Transportation Agency is an independent administrative body of the Government of Canada. It performs two key functions within the federal transportation system:

    
    -  As a quasi-judicial tribunal, the Agency, informally and through
       formal adjudication, resolves a range of commercial and consumer
       transportation-related disputes, including accessibility issues for
       persons with disabilities. It operates like a court when adjudicating
       disputes.

    -  As an economic regulator, the Agency makes determinations and issues
       authorities, licences and permits to transportation carriers under
       federal jurisdiction.
    

For further information: Media Relations, Canadian Transportation Agency, 819-934-3448, [email protected]