The Government of Canada invests in transportation technologies to improve efficiency at the Buffalo and Fort Erie Border Crossing
News release
June 26, 2018 Fort Erie, Ontario Transport Canada
The quality of Canada’s transportation infrastructure and the efficiency of the country’s trade corridors are key to the success of Canadian firms in the global marketplace. The Government of Canada supports infrastructure projects that create quality middle-class jobs and boost economic growth.
Today, the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Democratic Institutions, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced an important investment of $2.4 million for three projects to improve border infrastructure that will help Canadian businesses compete by moving goods to market more efficiently.
The first project consists of the complete redesign and replacement of existing toll system software, hardware, and signage for six toll collection lanes, as well as a border data analytics system for traffic entering Canada to improve toll system efficiency.
The second project involves the design, supply and installation of radio-frequency identification readers and corresponding electrical and IT infrastructure at auto primary inspection lanes and commercial lanes. The radio-frequency identification readers will be installed at the front of the inspection line, allowing travelers to scan their identification documents in advance of reaching the inspection booth for processing. This new technology helps reduce vehicle inspection wait times.
The third project includes the design, supply and installation of cameras and IT infrastructure to improve the accuracy of border wait time information and improve the flow of border traffic.
These projects are expected to have significant economic and employment benefits by creating an estimated 50 jobs during construction. Once completed, these projects will address capacity constraints that will benefit Canada’s third busiest land crossing.
The Government of Canada is supporting infrastructure projects that contribute most to Canada’s continued success in international trade. For example, projects being funded will:
- support economic activity and the physical movement of goods or people in Canada;
- help the transportation system withstand the effects of climate change and make sure it is able to support new technologies and innovation;
- address transportation bottlenecks and congestion along Canada’s trade corridors; and
- increase the fluidity of Canadian trade around the world through our ports, airports, roads, railways, intermodal facilities, bridges and border crossings.
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 all eligible for funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund.
Quotes
“The transportation and distribution of goods are a vital part of our local, regional and national economies. By investing in our transportation infrastructure to address urgent capacity constraints at the Peace Bridge, the Government of Canada is strengthening our economy, making our transportation system stronger, and fostering long-term prosperity for our communities.”
The Honourable Karina Gould
Minister of Democratic Institutions and Member of Parliament for Burlington
“Our government is investing in Canada’s economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors. We are supporting projects that will efficiently move commercial goods to market and people to their destinations, stimulate economic growth, create quality middle-class jobs, and ensure that Canada’s transportation networks remain competitive and efficient.”
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
“I am pleased that this important project is going ahead. The Peace Bridge is a strategic economic gateway and ensuring that we address transportation bottlenecks and develop strategies to minimize congestion is vital to foster long-term prosperity in our community”.
Vance Badawey
Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre
“The Peace Bridge is an important economic generator for our province and upgrading its infrastructure will ensure it keeps serving our community for generations to come.”
Chris Bittle
Member of Parliament for St. Catharines
Quick facts
-
Over the last five years, an average of 3274 trucks per day (or nearly 1.2 million per year) crossed the Peace Bridge, carrying millions of dollars’ worth of Canadian trade that support jobs across the country.
-
Transportation is an important element of Canada’s trade with other countries. In 2017, total international merchandise trade amounted to $1.1 trillion. The United States continued to be Canada’s top trade partner, with $703 billion in trade ($415 billion exported, $288 billion imported), accounting for 63.5 per cent of total Canadian trade in 2017.
-
The Government of Canada places a strong emphasis on exports because of the connection between trade and good, well-paying jobs, as industries that are export-intensive pay wages that are, on average, more than 50 per cent higher than industries that are not.
Related products
Associated links
Contacts
Delphine Denis
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
Delphine.denis@tc.gc.ca
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
Media@tc.gc.ca
613-993-0055
Page details
- Date modified: