In The News

Canada replaces transportation leader

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has appointed a new federal minister of transportation as part of a Cabinet shakeup announced Friday, Aug. 6.

Member of Parliament Chuck Strahl of Fraser Valley, British Columbia, was named to the position during an official Cabinet shuffle that saw former Transportation Minister John Baird promoted to government House leader.

Strahl is a former federal minister of Indian affairs and was minister of Agriculture in 2006 and 2007. He moves on to lead Transport Canada, where his official title is minister of transport, infrastructure and communities.

Based in the federal capital of Ottawa, Transport Canada is responsible for developing regulations, policies and services; distributing federal highway funding; and enforcing legislation that includes the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Baird, a member of Parliament representing Ottawa-West, moves on to become House leader for the ruling Conservative Party. He will be responsible for negotiating with House leaders from opposition parties in the House of Commons.

Baird has been a supporter of the proposed Detroit River International Crossing – a bridge and highways project to add a new crossing point between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit.

In April, Baird helped secure a $550 million pledge to help the state of Michigan pay for its share of the construction.

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