The quality of Canada’s transportation infrastructure and the efficiency of the country’s trade corridors are key to the success of Canadian companies in the global marketplace. The Government of Canada invests in infrastructure projects that create quality, middle-class jobs and support economic growth.

“I am thrilled that this important project is going ahead. Transportation and distribution of goods are a vital part of our local, regional and national economies. These improvements to the Forty Mile Rail’s Transload Facility and the Cardston Subdivision line will increase transportation options for the community, help businesses get more products to market, and create quality jobs. This investment demonstrates that our government appreciates how important our port is to the continuing prosperity of our region and country.”

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi
Minister of Natural Resources Canada and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Mill Woods

“Our government is investing in Canada’s economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors. We are supporting projects to efficiently move 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

• An efficient and reliable transportation network is key to Canada’s economic growth. The Government of Canada, through the National Trade Corridors Fund, is making investments that will support the flow of goods to international markets. While the United States continues to be Canada’s top trade partner with $741.4 billion in trade ($437.6 billion exported, $303.8 billion imported) in 2018, trade is growing with international markets. From 2015 to 2018, trade with Asia (excluding the Middle East) grew by 18.9 per cent to $199.2 billion and trade with the European Union grew by 19 per cent since 2015 to $118.1 billion in 2018.
  

• Canada’s railways play a vital role in connecting our vast country to the rest of the world. By linking Canada’s bulk, industrial, and consumer goods producers to ports on the east and west coasts, our railways help grow and diversify Canada’s trade to new overseas markets. With more than 2,800 locomotives pulling over 5.2 million carloads, Canada’s railways transport more than 358 million tonnes of goods per year, and account for about half of Canada’s international exports.
  

• Canada’s short line railways provide vital first-mile/last-mile service to customers not served directly by Class I railways. By moving traffic to and from the main lines, where they can access long-haul rail carriers, they help local manufacturing and resource sectors reach world markets. There are over 50 short line railways across Canada, transporting $20.3 billion worth of freight to and from continental rail networks each year.
  

• The Government of Canada is making investments that help Canadian exporters accelerate their presence in new markets, and take advantage of the new opportunities that exist because of the trade agreements the Government has secured in the past three years. By investing in export-intensive industries, the Government is committed to the creation of well-paying jobs and strengthening Canada’s economy.
  

• Through the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
  

Associated links

• National Trade Corridors Fund Backgrounder
• Trade and Transportation Corridor Initiative
• Investing in Canada Plan
• Transportation 2030

Delphine Denis
Media Relations Manager
Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700
delphine.denis@tc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
media@tc.gc.ca