Trade and Transportation Corridors Initiative (TTCI)

As announced in November 2016 and detailed in Budget 2017, the Government of Canada will invest $10.1 billion over the next 11 years in trade and transportation projects to build stronger, more efficient transportation corridors to international markets and help Canadian businesses compete, grow and create more jobs for Canada’s middle class.

From this funding, $2.1 billion has been allocated to the Trade and Transportation Corridor Initiative.

The TTCI includes:

• $2 billion over 11 years for the National Trade Corridors Fund, a merit-based program to strengthen the efficiency and reliability of national trade corridors;
• $50 million over 5 years to stimulate innovation and foster the adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as well as connected vehicles and automated vehicles (CV/AVs) – by updating regulations and standards and working with key partners; and
• $50 million over 11 years to launch a Trade and Transportation Information System (TTIS), implemented by a new Canadian Centre on Transportation Data (CCTD).  

This investment contributes to achieving our Transportation 2030 objectives including modernizing transportation infrastructure - our roads, bridges, airports, rail lines, port facilities and trade corridors.

National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF)

The NTCF is a merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical assets that support economic activity and the physical movement of goods and people in Canada. It represents a long-term commitment by the Government of Canada to work with stakeholders on strategic infrastructure projects that help to address transportation bottlenecks, vulnerabilities and congestion along Canada’s trade corridors.

A total of $2 billion over 11 years has been allocated for the NTCF, including up to $400 million in dedicated funding for Northern transportation infrastructure.

On July 4, 2017, Minister Garneau announced the first call for expressions of interest for funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund for infrastructure projects that will address urgent capacity constraints and further improve supply chain performance.

Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous groups, not-for-profit and for-profit private-sector organizations, federal Crown Corporations, Canadian Port Authorities, and National Airport System Airport Authorities are encouraged to submit an expression of interest under this first call for expressions of interest by September 5, 2017.

NTCF funding will be allocated to projects based on their individual merits, which will be assessed according to how they help to strengthen the efficiency and resilience of transportation assets that are critical for Canada’s continued success in global trade and commerce.

Eligible projects include, for example, ports, airports, roads, railways, intermodal facilities, international bridges and border crossings – assets that are the primary building blocks of the supply chains that enable the physical exchange of goods around the world and also support the critical movement of people and goods in Canada’s Northern territories.

In addition to improving the Northern transportation infrastructure and supporting nationally significant trade flows, NTCF funding will also be available to small National Airport System airports for safety improvement projects. Although separate, tailored Calls for Proposals will be issued for such projects starting in 2018, potential applicants are encouraged to also apply during this first call for expressions of interest.

The NTCF is one component of the Investing in Canada Plan, the Government of Canada’s strategy for addressing long-term infrastructure needs in Canada and supporting middle class growth and jobs. The NTCF is also a key element of Transportation 2030, the Minister of Transport’s strategic plan for the future of transportation. The development of this vision, including the NTCF, has been informed by extensive engagement with Canadians from coast to coast to coast, along with insights contained in the 2015 Canada Transportation Act Review report.

In addition to the $2 billion of investments under the National Trade Corridors Fund, the Canada Infrastructure Bank will invest at least an additional $5 billion to address trade and transportation projects.

Read more about the NTCF or submit an expression of interest.

Innovation

As travel and transportation evolves, the Government of Canada must stay on top of changing trends by updating regulations, certifications and standards. Under the TTCI, this $50 million investment over 5 years will include activities such as:

• Developing regulations for the safe adoption of unmanned air vehicles as well as connected and autonomous vehicles;
• Working with industry, provinces, territories and municipalities to establish pilot projects (e.g., to evaluate new unmanned air vehicle technology at a new test centre); and
• Increasing Transport Canada's ability to establish and provide the standards and certifications that industry will need to safely use these new technologies.

Trade and Transportation Information System

The Government of Canada is allocating $50 million over 11 years to Transport Canada to launch a Trade and Transportation Information System implemented by a new Canadian Centre on Transportation Data. The Centre will be a partnership between Transport Canada and Statistics Canada.

It will make high quality, timely and accessible data and analysis available to users. This will enable private stakeholders in the transportation sector, for example, to support innovations that will move goods more efficiently across supply and distribution chains, getting them from the manufacturer and into the hands of consumers more quickly, affordably and sustainably.