.This subject was explored by the Standing Senate Committee on
Transport and Communications.
13
Their report of June 2008 recommended“Transport Canada negotiate harmonizing its container regulations with those of the United States, in order to increase the supply of
empty containers to Canadian shippers.” In the 2009 Budget, the
Government of Canada announced“Budget 2009 will also take steps
to facilitate the movement of goods by improving the Customs Tariff
rules respecting the treatment of temporarily imported cargo containers, and undertake consultations with respect to further liberalizing
the use of these containers in Canada.”
14
On December 15, 2009, the
Customs Tariff regulations were amended to facilitate cargo container
movements within Canada and to harmonize the treatment with U.S.
container cabotage regulations.