Canadians have experienced supply chain challenges firsthand and the impacts that come with them, like the rising cost of everyday products. More recently, existing supply chain issues were exacerbated by extreme climate events, changes in trade patterns, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is why the Government of Canada is taking concrete action to strengthen our supply chain and continue to build an economy that works for everyone.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, introduced theStrengthening the Port System and Railway Safety in Canada Act in the House of Commons. The Act aims to:
Together, these measures seek to improve the supply chain, including the competitiveness of Canada’s transportation system and operations that are safe, secure, efficient, and reliable. The proposed measures would support the flow of essential goods and would implement tools to mitigate risks and impacts of future supply chain challenges.
Port System
The Act would allow the Government of Canada to deliver on the completion of the Ports Modernization Review by enabling Canada’s ports to better respond to an increasingly complex economic, social, and environmental operating environment.
Within this context, the Government of Canada recognizes that:
For this reason, a new policy statement on port investmentis being advanced, which sets out a clear set of principles to guide government decisions. The application of these principles would be enabled by new legislative tools being advanced under the proposed bill.
Rail Safety
Today’s proposed legislative amendments also respond to the Railway Safety Act Review by seeking to strengthen rail safety and security in Canada through an updated framework. The proposed amendments aim to:
The Act represents the culmination of efforts undertaken over numerous years as part of the Railway Safety Act Review, the Ports Modernization Review, and Transport Canada’s work related to the transportation of dangerous goods. These actions will help establish a strong foundation for our transportation system that will build on the National Supply Chain Task Force’s recommendations, particularly around the efficient operation of Canada’s ports.
