An efficient and reliable transportation system is essential to making life more affordable for Canadians and combating the rising cost of living. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that supply chains grow the economy and create good, middle-class jobs for Canadians, while making them resilient and adaptable to the effects of climate change.
On 26 May, the then-Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced an investment of up to $12.5 million to the Essex Terminal Railway Company, from the National Trade Corridors Fund, for a Cargo Terminal Infrastructure Expansion project at the Port of Windsor.
The project will help build a new warehouse and expand the shorewall at the Port of Windsor. It aims to shift the transportation of goods from trucks to trains and ships, which will reduce pollution and congestion along the Highway 401 corridor. This will make it easier to move steel and aluminium products and attract potential new exports. Additionally, these improvements will prevent shoreline erosion and reduce the risk of flooding due to rising lake water levels caused by climate change. It will also enable the possibility of building a new cargo dock in the future that can be used for different purposes.
The Government of Canada continues to invest to make the country’s supply chain stronger, to boost economic growth and to create more opportunities for our businesses to grow internationally. This represents another long-term commit ment to work with stakeholders on important infrastructure projects to address transportation bottlenecks, vulnerabilities, and congestion along Canada’s trade corridors.
The Honourable Omar Alghabra said, “Efficient and reliable transportation is crucial for affordable living and economic growth. This National Trade Corridors Fund investment will help shift towards more environmentally friendly transport ation methods, while reducing congestion and emissions. By supporting this project, we contribute to Canada’s economic progress, improve the environment, and make life more affordable for Canadians.”
Irek Kusmierczyk, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion and Member of Parliament for Windsor–Tecumseh, said, “This significant federal investment grows jobs and solidifies Port Windsor’s position as a key trade hub at the centre of North American supply chains and electric vehicle and battery manufacturing. This is another critical piece that unlocks our region’s prosperity.”
Tony De Thomasis, President and CEO, Essex Terminal Railway, Morterm Limited and Motipark Limited, added, “Morterm Limited and the Port of Windsor are excited and very appreciative of the National Trade Corridors Funding to improve Port infrastructure and expand operations, ensuring Windsor-Essex is well equipped and in a more desirable position to access new export markets. Further investment in our region will bring us even closer to bringing to fruition the multi-modal hub that this area needs — one that supports supply chains, reduces Port congestion, creates new jobs, and encourages economic development in sustainable and innovative ways.”
Steve Salmons, President and Chief Executive Officer, Windsor Port Authority, concluded, “This is transformational for our region… Short-sea container shipping on the Great Lakes, and soon to be at Port Windsor, will relieve congestion in the supply chain, reduce GHGs, and increase access to world markets for industry in Windsor and Essex County.”
QUICK FACTS
Relieving Supply Chain Congestion at Canadian Ports is a targeted call under the National Trade Corridors Fund to assist with measures to relieve immediate supply chain congestion and facilitate the movement of goods at Canadian ports
Eligible recipients targeted by the call for proposals include Canadian Port Authorities (subject to the Canada Marine Act), organizations supporting supply chain projects, and Canadian Port Authorities partner organizations. 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 across Canada’s supply chains.
The National Trade Corridors Fund is a competitive, merit-based programme, designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical transportation assets that support economic activity in Canada. The programme has been allocated a total of $4.6 billion over 11 years (2017–2028).