Japanese port policy is stable, with no big change expected in the primary role of ports as indispensable social capital in the life of the nation. Meanwhile on the other hand, Canadian national ports policy has been changing, and the administration of Canadian ports is in a process of transition.
After a review by a parliamentary committee in 1995 the federal government concluded that Canada's port system suffers from overcapacity and inefficiency. 80% of marine traffic passes through only 40 of the 572 sites under the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport. The government felt that the extensive public investment in port infrastructure has not provided an adequate return to taxpayers who have traditionally funded most port development.
The government therefore decided to consolidate the various existing pieces of legislation in a single act - the Canada Marine Act, expected to be enacted in the spring of 1997. Under this act the government will commercialize public ports, withdraw from direct operation and enable users of the system to have more say in how they work.
A national ports system will be set up that will include three categories of port. First the 8 to 10 financially self-sufficient ports vital to domestic and international trade will be managed by Canada Ports Authorities made up of representatives nominated by user groups and various levels of government. The port authorities will be expected to instill commercial discipline into their ports and pave the way for efficiency gains necessary to remain competitive in the global economy. The federal government will no longer provide funding for these ports.
A second category of ports - Regional/Local ports - will be transferred to provinces, local governments, community organizations, and/or private interests over a six year transition period. These ports will then be managed by local interests responsive to local needs, with the anticipation of lower costs and better service.
Maintenance of a third category of ports - some 55 Remote ports - will be ensured by the government of Canada. Remote ports are identified using criteria that reflect community isolation and reliance on both marine transport and an existing government fixed wharf structure.
Some 60 of the regional/local or remote ports will be transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans which maintains a separate fishing ports system.
In 1995 Canadian ports handled some 360 million tones of cargo, and 105,000 shipping movements. 28% of the cargo handled was domestic. 24% was Canada-U.S. trade and 48% was with the rest of the world. 53% of the vessel movements were domestic, 38% were Canada-U.S., and only 9% were between Canada and the rest of the world.
