Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan
Trade is critical to our economic prosperity and to building our country, but our trade infrastructure is not up to the task of getting Canadian goods to domestic and international markets.
For too long, Canada has prioritized projects that are shovel ready rather than shovel worthy. And among our trade competitors, only Canada lacks coherent, long-term trade infrastructure planning.
We need to change that now. Governments and industry must come together to develop a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan (CTIP). Canada’s people, business leaders andall of Canada’s provinces are calling for it.
This is an urgent national priority.
Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan
Trade is critical to our economic prosperity and to building our country, but our trade infrastructure is not up to the task of getting Canadian goods to domestic and international markets.
For too long, Canada has prioritized projects that are shovel ready rather than shovel worthy. And among our trade competitors, only Canada lacks coherent, long-term trade infrastructure planning.
We need to change that now. Governments and industry must come together to develop a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan (CTIP). Canada’s people, business leaders andall of Canada’s provinces are calling for it.
This is an urgent national priority.
Today, trade generates two-thirds of Canada’s GDP.
It brings in the revenue that funds our social programs and other national priorities. It generates millions of jobs across the country. Unfortunately, we’ve become reliant on one increasingly unreliable partner that is the destination for three quarters of Canada’s total exports.
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CANADA’S TRADE IS UNDER THREAT.
Today, trade generates two-thirds of Canada’s GDP.
It brings in the revenue that funds our social programs and other national priorities. It generates millions of jobs across the country. Unfortunately, we’ve become reliant on one increasingly unreliable partner that is the destination for three quarters of Canada’s total exports.
CANADA’S TRADE IS UNDER THREAT.
WE NEED TO GET OUR GOODS TO MARKET
Our ability to get Canadian products to the global marketplace and create Canadian jobs is tied to the quality and reliability of our trade infrastructure.
WE NEED TO GET OUR GOODS TO MARKET
Our ability to get Canadian products across our country and to the global marketplace is tied to the quality and reliability of our trade infrastructure.
OUR TRADING PARTNERS ARE CONCERNED
Canada’s reputation as a reliable trading partner has taken a hit: we dropped from the top 10 in 2009 to 32nd (behind Azerbaijan) in the 2019 World Economic Forum’s global ranking of quality of transportation infrastructure.
Our trading partners are concerned.
Canada’s reputation as a reliable trading partner has taken a hit: we dropped from the top 10 in 2009 to 32nd (behind Azerbaijan) in the 2019 World Economic Forum’s global ranking of quality of transportation infrastructure.
CANADIANS ARE CONCERNED TOO
According to a June 2023 Ipsos survey nearly all Canadians (95%) view Canada’s trade infrastructure, like highways, ports, railroads and airports, as important to Canada’s economy. However, only 9% of Canadians think Canada’s trade infrastructure is in good shape.
CANADIANS ARE CONCERNED TOO
According to a June 2023 Ipsos survey nearly all Canadians (95%) view Canada’s trade infrastructure, like highways, ports, railroads and airports, as important to Canada’s economy. However, only 9% of Canadians think Canada’s trade infrastructure is in good shape.
“If you can’t move it, you can’t sell it.”
BOLD ACTION BACKED BY SUSTAINED STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IS NEEDED
A 2021 report by the European Court of Auditors comparing how Australia, Canada, the EU, Switzerland and the United States manage large transport infrastructure projects, found only Canada lacks coherent, institutionalized, long-term coordination and planning.
Canada’s Prime Minister and Premiers have agreed that by working together to unlock economic projects and remove barriers, Canada can more than offset the effects of U.S. tariffs. This will create higher-paying jobs, maximizing our economic potential and becoming stronger at home and abroad.
The Prime Minister says his government is embarking on the biggest transformation of Canada’s economy since the end of the Second World War, and that they intend to “build big, bold and build now.” This is welcome news.
The Prome Minister recognizes improving trade infrastructure as an urgent priority and promised to inject $5 billion into a new Trade Diversification Corridor Fund. But economic analysis shows that even at $21 billion annually in transportation infrastructure, Canada was uncompetitive compared to peer trading nations. So, clearly more is needed.
We need a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan (CTIP)
A changed investment focus from shovel ready to shovel worthy
CTIP — a long-term trade infrastructure investment plan, developed jointly by governments and industry, with an unwavering focus on strategic national priorities and return on investment — is the right way to meet the moment
We can generate greater value by prioritizing projects that are shovel worthy, rather than shovel ready.
Implementing CTIP will result in an efficient, world-class national trade network for the movement of Canadian products from industry, local communities, provinces and territories to domestic and international markets. This will boost Canada’s competitiveness and restore our global reputation. This is good for all Canadians.
BOLD ACTION BACKED BY SUSTAINED STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IS NEEDED
A 2021 report by the European Court of Auditors comparing how Australia, Canada, the EU, Switzerland and the United States manage large transport infrastructure projects, found only Canada lacks coherent, institutionalized, long-term coordination and planning.
Canada’s Prime Minister and Premiers have agreed that by working together to unlock economic projects and remove barriers, Canada can more than offset the effects of U.S. tariffs. This will create higher-paying jobs, maximizing our economic potential and becoming stronger at home and abroad.
The Prime Minister says his government is embarking on the biggest transformation of Canada’s economy since the end of the Second World War, and that they intend to “build big, bold and build now.” This is welcome news.
The Prome Minister recognizes improving trade infrastructure as an urgent priority and promised to inject $5 billion into a new Trade Diversification Corridor Fund. But economic analysis shows that even at $21 billion annually in transportation infrastructure, Canada was uncompetitive compared to peer trading nations. So, clearly more is needed.
We need a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan.
A changed investment focus from shovel ready to shovel worthy
CTIP — a long-term trade infrastructure investment plan, developed jointly by governments and industry, with an unwavering focus on strategic national priorities and return on investment — is the right way to meet the moment
We can generate greater value by prioritizing projects that are shovel worthy, rather than shovel ready.
Implementing CTIP will result in an efficient, world-class national trade network for the movement of Canadian products from industry, local communities, provinces and territories to domestic and international markets. This will boost Canada’s competitiveness and restore our global reputation. This is good for all Canadians.
An all-hands-on-deck priority.
Canadian businesses are calling for a CTIP. The plan has been publicly endorsed by many national organizations, including:
- Canada West Foundation
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce
- Canadian Construction Association
- Canadian Federation of Agriculture
- Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
- Civil Infrastructure Council Corporation
- Western Canada Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association
Canada’s Provinces and Territories are on board.
Premiers wrote to the Prime Minister on June 15, 2023, to reiterate provinces’ and territories’ shared priorities on infrastructure funding and policy. In their June 27, 2023, communiqué, Canada’s Western Premiers underlined their commitment to work together with other provinces and territories and with the federal government to advance strategic infrastructure and trade corridors. In their July 12, 2023, communiqué, Canada’s Premiers unanimously endorsed the principles of CTIP, and highlighted the essential role of Canada’s strategic infrastructure and ongoing competitiveness in the global economy in the economic prosperity of all provinces and territories.
CANADIANS ARE ON BOARD TOO!
According to the 2023 Ipsos survey, more than 9 in 10 Canadians in every province agree: Canadian governments and industry need to work together to create a long-term national plan to invest in building and maintaining trade infrastructure.
An all-hands-on-deck priority.
Canadian businesses are calling for a CTIP. The plan has been publicly endorsed by many national organizations, including:
- Canada West Foundation
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce
- Canadian Construction Association
- Canadian Federation of Agriculture
- Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
- Civil Infrastructure Council Corporation
- Western Canada Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association
Canada’s Provinces and Territories are on board.
Premiers wrote to the Prime Minister on June 15, 2023, to reiterate provinces’ and territories’ shared priorities on infrastructure funding and policy. In their June 27, 2023, communiqué, Canada’s Western Premiers underlined their commitment to work together with other provinces and territories and with the federal government to advance strategic infrastructure and trade corridors. In their July 12, 2023, communiqué, Canada’s Premiers unanimously endorsed the principles of CTIP, and highlighted the essential role of Canada’s strategic infrastructure and ongoing competitiveness in the global economy in the economic prosperity of all provinces and territories.
CANADIANS ARE ON BOARD TOO!
According to the 2023 Ipsos survey, more than 9 in 10 Canadians in every province agree: Canadian governments and industry need to work together to create a long-term national plan to invest in building and maintaining trade infrastructure.
So, what needs to happen?
With trade threats facing our country and momentum finally building to reduce long-standing interprovincial trade barriers, the time to act is now. We urge the federal government to immediately convene provincial, federal and industry representatives to develop a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan that delivers:
So, what needs to happen?
With trade threats facing our country and momentum finally building to reduce long-standing interprovincial trade barriers, the time to act is now. We urge the federal government to immediately convene provincial, federal and industry representatives to develop a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan that delivers:
We need long-term thinking, leadership and nation building.
