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 international markets. For too long, Canada has prioritized projects that are shovel ready rather than shovel worthy. Among our trade competitors, only Canada lacks coherent, long-term trade infrastructure planning.
We need to fix that now. Governments and industry must come together to develop a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan (CTIP).
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 international markets. For too long, Canada has prioritized projects that are shovel ready rather than shovel worthy. Among our trade competitors, only Canada lacks coherent, long-term trade infrastructure planning.
We need to fix that now. Governments and industry must come together to develop a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan (CTIP).
Today, trade generates two-thirds of Canada’s GDP and it is set to grow.
It brings in the revenue that funds our social programs and other national priorities. And, it generates millions of jobs.
Tomorrow? Continued growth in the global middle-class will see more than 3 billion new consumers gain purchasing power to ‘buy Canadian’ and fuel the next generation of trade-generated economic growth.
Today, trade generates two-thirds of Canada’s GDP and it is set to grow.
It brings in the revenue that funds our social programs and other national priorities. And, it generates millions of jobs.
Tomorrow? Continued growth in the global middle-class will see more than 3 billion new consumers gain purchasing power to ‘buy Canadian’ and fuel the next generation of trade-generated economic growth.
But only if we can 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.
But only if we can 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.
Canadians are concerned about that.
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 about that.
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.
Our trading partners are concerned too.
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 too.
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.
“If you can’t move it, you can’t sell it.”
Bold action is needed backed by a thoughtful plan and increased investment.
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.
We need a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan (CTIP)
From shovel ready to shovel worthy
CTIP is about long-term (20+ years) coordination and planning of investments in trade infrastructure (road, rail, air, port and marine assets) along key economic corridors to enhance their fluidity and reliability, boost Canada’s competitiveness, and restore our global reputation.
Let this be a first for Canada: a long-term trade infrastructure plan, developed jointly by governments and industry, with an unwavering focus on strategic national priorities and return on investment. 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 is good for all Canadians.
Bold action is needed backed by a thoughtful plan and increased investment.
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.
We need a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan.
From shovel ready to shovel worthy
CTIP is about long-term (20+ years) coordination and planning of investments in trade infrastructure (road, rail, air, port and marine assets) along key economic corridors to enhance their fluidity and reliability, boost Canada’s competitiveness, and restore our global reputation.
Let this be a first for Canada: a long-term trade infrastructure plan, developed jointly by governments and industry, with an unwavering focus on strategic national priorities and return on investment. 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 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 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, over nine in ten 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 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, over nine in ten 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?
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?
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.
