Mandate, tools and values

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal and regulator that has, with respect to all matters necessary for the exercise of its jurisdiction, all the powers of a superior court.

We oversee the very large and complex Canadian transportation system, which is essential to the economic and social well-being of Canadians.

Our decision-makers are regular Members appointed by the Governor-in-Council (GIC) and temporary Members appointed by the Minister of Transport from a GIC-approved roster. Members' key functions include making adjudicative rulings, regulations, and regulatory determinations, as well as designating CTA staff to exercise the role of enforcement officers.

What we do: our three mandates

• We help ensure that the national transportation system runs efficiently and smoothly in the interests of all Canadians: those who work and invest in it; the producers, shippers, travellers and businesses who rely on it; and the communities where it operates.
• We protect the human right of persons with disabilities to an accessible transportation network.
• We provide consumer protection for air passengers.

How we do it: our tools

To help advance these mandates, we have three tools at our disposal:

• Rule-making: We develop and apply ground rules that establish the rights and responsibilities of transportation service providers and users and that level the playing field among competitors. These rules can take the form of binding regulations or less formal guidelines, codes of practice or interpretation notes.
• Dispute resolution: We resolve disputes that arise between transportation providers on the one hand, and their clients and neighbours on the other, using a range of tools from facilitation and mediation to arbitration and adjudication.
• Information provision: We provide information on the transportation system, the rights and responsibilities of transportation providers and users, and the Agency's legislation and services.

Our values

Our Code of Values and Ethics outlines the core values and expected behaviours that guide us in all activities related to our professional duties. Our guiding values are:

Respect for democracy.

We uphold Canadian parliamentary democracy and promote constructive and timely exchange of views and information.

Respect for people.

We treat people with dignity and fairness and foster a cooperative, rewarding working environment.

Integrity.

We act with honesty, fairness, impartiality and transparency.

Stewardship.

We use and manage our resources wisely and take full responsibility for our obligations and commitments.

Excellence.

We provide the highest quality service through innovation, professionalism and responsiveness.