Transport
How Transport spent its budget in fiscal year 2023-24, shown as net expenditures by standard object from Public Accounts Volume II.
The Department of Transport (Transport Canada) is the federal department responsible for developing and enforcing transportation policies, regulations, and infrastructure projects to ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across Canada. It oversees aviation, rail, marine, and road transportation systems, working to enhance national connectivity and economic growth.
Department Spending
In FY 2023-24,
$5.1B
was spent by Transport
In FY 2023-24,
1.0%
of federal spending was by Transport
On the consolidated accrual basis (Volume I), this portfolio’s expenses were $5.36B in FY 2023-24 — see the overview and methodology.
Transport Canada spent $5.1B in fiscal year (FY) 2024, or 1.0% of the $521.4 billion in overall federal spending, placing it among the smaller federal departments by expenditure.
Spending by entity, FY 2023-24
Department of Transport
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Marine Atlantic Inc.
Canadian Transportation Agency
VIA HFR - VIA TGF Inc.
The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited
$3.02B
$971.2M
$804M
$191.7M
$55.3M
$49.5M
$7M
Federal spending shifts over time with population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging priorities, and acute events can move it sharply: during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada's total expenses rose from $346.2 billion in 2019 to $373.5 billion in 2020 and $644.2 billion in 2021. Transport Canada's own spending has been comparatively steady, holding at roughly 1% of the federal budget over the past decade.
How did Transport spend its budget in 2023-24?
Transport Canada's spending is spread across the core department and several transportation crown corporations and agencies. The Department of Transport itself accounts for roughly $3.0 billion, with the balance flowing to bodies such as the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (about $1 billion), VIA Rail Canada (about $0.8 billion), and Marine Atlantic. The department is led by the Minister of Transport, a member of cabinet appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, who oversees transportation policy, safety regulation, infrastructure investment, and related climate initiatives across aviation, rail, marine, and road transportation.
Transport’s share of federal spending
Percentage of federal spending, 2014–2025
Line items
Every transfer-payment (grant and contribution) program, in dollars. These are the named programs behind the transfer-payments object in the chart above. Search, sort, and download the full table.
| Category | Description | Amount ▼ |
|---|---|---|
| Grants | Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program | $692,802,870 |
| Contributions | National Trade Corridors Fund | $467,380,049 |
| Contributions | Airport Critical Infrastructure Program | $150,891,260 |
| Contributions | Northumberland Strait Crossing Subsidy Payment under the Northumberland Strait Crossing Act (S.C., 1993, c. 43) | $77,178,962 |
| Contributions | Ferry Services Contribution Program | $52,690,925 |
| Contributions | Airports Capital Assistance Program | $43,400,354 |
| Contributions | Rail Safety Improvement Contribution Program | $41,749,497 |
| Grants | Grant to the Province of British Columbia in respect of the provision of ferry and coastal freight and passenger services | $35,637,652 |
| Contributions | Remote Passenger Rail Program | $20,485,535 |
| Contributions | Program to Protect Canada's Coastlines and Waterways | $19,615,976 |
| Contributions | Road Safety Transfer Payment Program | $15,198,028 |
| Contributions | Lac-Mégantic Rail Bypass Project | $9,428,899 |
| Grants | Program to Advance Indigenous Reconciliation | $3,359,057 |
| Contributions | Payments to the Canadian National Railway Company in respect of the termination of the collection of tolls on the Victoria Bridge, Montreal and for rehabilitation work on roadway portion of the Bridge (Vote 107, Appropriation Act No. 5, 1963) | $3,300,000 |
| Contributions | Program to Address Disturbances from Vessel Traffic | $3,274,271 |
Explore other federal departments
Transport figures are net expenditures by standard object from Public Accounts Volume II, and will not match the Volume I consolidated headline totals. See the methodology for details.
