ADVOCACY PLAN 2001 Activities Overview by Bruce Burrows, RAC

1
ADVOCACY PLAN 2001Activities Overviewby Bruce
Burrows, RAC

• RAC Regional and Short Line Conference
• November 2, 2001

2
OUTLINE

• Status of Strategic Plans
• Federal
• Provincial
• Supporting Groups
• Truck/Rail
• Media Relations/P.A.
• Federal Blueprint Process
• Tax Issues Update

3
STRATEGIC PLANS STATUS

• Federal Actions
• Renewed vision of surface transportation.
• Status Collenette to develop a new
  Blueprint.
• Federal support for infrastructure.
• Status Process on hold.
• Support safety and operations team.
• Status - see Regulatory Update

4

• Federal Actions (contd)
• Initiate briefings with SCOT and Commons caucus
  groups.
• Status Hosted a joint reception in June. A
  Rail Caucus is forming.
• Build a political database.
• Status A database is being constructed.
• Ensure active participation of short line members
  in a Rail Day On the Hill in November.
• Status A re-formatted Rail Day took place
  November 1st.

5

• Provincial Actions
• Pilot test Rail Day.
• Status Two events held in Quebec City and
  Queens Park this summer.
• 8. Develop provincial rail profile pamphlets
  (leave behind).
• Status Input is being finalized in conjunction
  with Trends 2001.
• Meet with senior departmental officials.
• Status Initial introduction of RAC ongoing.

6

• Supporting Groups (Influencers)
• Increased coalition-based support for rail.
• Status
• a. Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) leading
  a new coalition.
• b. Created a Canadian Chamber of Commerce
  national transportation framework.
• c. RAC has joined the Coalition for A Secure and
• Trade Efficient Border.

7

• Supporting Groups (Influencers) Contd
• d. Efforts with select union officials and
  retirees being re-vamped.
• Truck/Rail Competition Initiatives
• Address modal equity policies and longer trucker
  hours.
• Status Modal balance messages form a core part
  of RAC agenda. CRASH is also being supported.

8

• Media Relations
• Raise level of awareness of rail role in Canada
• Status Various articles/editorials supporting
  rail starting to appear. Videos updated and
  produced. Communication supporting Direction 2006
  and Operation Lifesaver.

9
FEDERAL BLUEPRINT PROCESS

• Minister announced the Transportation Blueprint
  project in April.
• Process is building on other initiatives.
• Transport Canada has established a DG steering
  committee of eight.
• TC released its preliminary, stage-setting
  document in the Spring (Defining the Challenges)
• Minister conducted four roundtable discussions to
  date more to come

10

• TC examining CTAR Report and working on
  preliminary strategy for early 2002
• Refined Blueprint document will be referred to
  Parliament - - delayed to 2002
• Final Blueprint to be ready by Summer/Fall 2002
• Given delays in process and downturn in economy,
  there may be fewer changes expected
• Tax update (see separate item)