OTTAWA — Mr. Brian Jean, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today addressed the 11th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED). Hosted by Transport Canada, the conference is being held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal from June 18-22, 2007.

“The TRANSED Conference provides the most comprehensive record of accessible transportation developments,” said Mr. Jean. “Delegates are in Montreal this week to share best practices and to continue to build a solid foundation of research that will benefit people around the world for many years to come.”

“Transport Canada’s top priority is to provide the best transportation system for Canada and Canadians – one that is safe, efficient, accessible, affordable, integrated and environmentally friendly,” said Minister Cannon. “Hosting TRANSED helps us fulfill that mandate.”

The conference, the second to be held in Canada in TRANSED’s 30-year history, brings together over 600 delegates from more than 50 countries to review advances in research, profile international breakthroughs and explore technological innovations designed to help eliminate barriers for seniors and persons with disabilities.

During his remarks, Mr. Jean focused on two key areas:

• The Government of Canada’s role in providing policy leadership to improve accessibility and remove undue obstacles from the national transportation system in an effort to provide the best transportation system for Canada and Canadians.

• The Canadian Transportation Agency’s recently released Code of Practice: Passenger Terminal Accessibility, which applies to a range of terminals, including small ferry terminals, rural and urban train stations, and Canada’s airports. For the service provider, the Code offers solutions that are practical, functional and deal with the realities of operations. For travellers with disabilities, it will offer solutions that are service-oriented and designed to meet their needs. The Agency has the lead in Canada for improving accessibility in the national transportation system.

Mr. Jean also took this opportunity to launch Transport Canada’s new disability awareness training program. The Getting on Board program will be offered free of charge to small transportation service providers, such as small airports or airlines, who might not be in a position to develop their own training programs.

Under the theme “Benchmarking, Evaluation and Vision for the Future,” the goal of TRANSED 2007 is to review past achievements and share accessible transportation and travel solutions for the future. The program includes a series of stimulating technical sessions, complemented by technical tours of local accessible transportation facilities, interactive tutorials, and a social program for delegates.

A two-day exhibition, opened to the public on June 18 and 19, showcases products and services that promote inclusive design and strategies for people living with accessibility challenges.

The TRANSED conference is held every three years in different countries — the last two were held in Japan and Poland — and is an exceptional opportunity for the accessible transportation sector, because it attracts researchers, decision-makers, and other specialists from around the world to share innovations and best practices. TRANSED is also an opportunity to identify challenges and work together to address them. The 12th TRANSED will be held in Hong Kong.

For more information on TRANSED 2007, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/TRANSED2007.