OTTAWA — The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced that Canada and Mexico have reached an expanded air transport agreement, which will facilitate increased travel and trade between the two countries.

OTTAWA — The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the reappointment of Mr. Alfred H. E. Popp of Ottawa as administrator of the Ship-Source Oil Pollution Fund for a term of two years.

REGINA — A milestone was marked today in the ongoing Highway 11 twinning initiative between Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Approximately 26 kilometres (km) of newly twinned northbound and southbound lanes from south of Hague to north of Rosthern are now fully open to traffic in time for Canada Day weekend travel.

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA — The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today participated in a roundtable discussion with the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC) in Richmond, B.C.

OTTAWA — The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), today announced changes that will allow the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority to maintain safer and more efficient pilotage services on the Great Lakes. The updated regulations allow the authority to ensure that officers have the local knowledge required to navigate their vessels in the region.

OTTAWA — The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the appointment of Ms. Valerie Beattie, of Fort Erie, Ontario, to the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority for a three-year term, effective immediately.

ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO — Rick Dykstra, MP for St. Catharines and Jim Bradley, MPP for St. Catharines, today marked the completion of the widening of the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) through St. Catharines. These improvements will reduce congestion and improve safety, as well as increase the flow of commercial vehicles to and from the border.

OTTAWA — The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the appointment of Dr. Kenneth Corbet, of Calgary, Alberta, to the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada (TATC) for a three-year term, effective immediately.

KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Construction is underway on a new transit centre in Kamloops, a $15.6-million project that will generate 100 jobs, and benefit B.C. families and businesses.

OTTAWA — The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the Government of Canada’s support for the third annual International Level Crossing Awareness Day on June 9, 2011. Level crossings are points at which a rail line and a road intersect. The initiative aims to make people aware that rail accidents can be avoided by obeying traffic rules, and being vigilant at and around level crossings. The rail and road sectors in more than 45 countries worldwide are jointly organizing International Level Crossing Awareness Day on June 9, 2011.