Canada’s transport overhaul aims to break reliance on U.S. trade

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Photo by Blair Gable/PostmediaCanada’s need to expand trade with Europe and Asia is a driving force behind a major new package of regulatory and permitting reforms, the country’s transportation minister said.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountPrime Minister Mark Carney’s government unveiled legislation Monday that aims to speed up project approvals so that federal reviews are completed within a year. But it also included a large set of reforms aimed specifically at transportation projects and removing red tape on their construction.“It’s really inspired by this imperative to diversify our overseas markets, to diversify away from the United States,” Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said in an interview, alluding to the tariffs and other trade disruptions imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“There’s a very discernible east-west pattern in this, when we talk about corridors,” he said.The legislation, which still needs to be passed in Parliament, allows for the designation of “national trade corridors” that will have performance metrics to prevent bottlenecks and improve efficiency.It overhauls the governance system for Canada’s ports, allowing them to pursue more private investment and modernize their operations with better technology.The bill also aims to speed up approvals and remove some regulatory hurdles for lower-risk infrastructure, such as smaller bridges and rail connections.MacKinnon said the measures are especially focused on western Canada and getting its resources — including energy, food and critical minerals — to Pacific Ocean ports in Vancouver and Prince Rupert.“We spend a lot of time considering that corridor because of its centrality in any kind of export development with respect to Asia,” he said.The minister also pointed to the St. Lawrence Seaway — a system of rivers, canals and locks that connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean — as infrastructure that could be developed further to improve trade with Europe.“We have a seaway that is not running at capacity,” MacKinnon said. The government is also working on adding container shipping facilities in Hamilton, Ontario, and relieving rail and highway congestion around the Great Lakes, he said.There are also opportunities for more shipping in northern Canada, though those tend to be longer term and in some cases require ice-breaking capacity, MacKinnon said. Most of the discussion centres on a small port in Churchill, Manitoba, that sits on Hudson Bay and currently ships some grain and zinc concentrate.“We’re very intrigued by the potential there,” MacKinnon said. “Churchill absolutely can become a place with real potential as the prairies’ own Atlantic port.”He pointed to opportunities for critical minerals and energy exports, but added there are still significant infrastructure and geological challenges in the region, including the need to shore up the rail line to carry heavy loads over the waterlogged muskeg landscape.This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.