The Government of Canada announces that 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.
On June 24, Serge Cormier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Acadie—Bathurst, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced a major investment of $17 million to increase capacity at the Port of Belledune to move Canadian goods to international markets.
The project includes filling in the water gap between Terminals 3 and 4 to create a larger berth thereby improving the port’s ability to move cargo between the terminals, and to and from vessels. This work will also create additional space for commodities at the south end of Terminal 3.
This investment is expected to have important economic and employment benefits for the region by creating an estimated 340 jobs during construction.
The Government of Canada is supporting infrastructure projects that contribute most to Canada’s success in international trade. Trade diversification is a key component of the National Trade Corridors Fund, funding projects that:
improve the fluidity and performance of the transportation system to increase the value and volume of goods exported from Canada to overseas markets; and increase new overseas trade as a result of the investment.
Serge Cormier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament for Acadie—Bathurst, commented:
“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 Port of Belledune 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 Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, commented:
“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.”
Quick facts
In 2017, total international merchandise trade amounted to $1.1 trillion. The United States continues to be Canada’s top trade partner, with $703 billion in trade, accounting for 63.5 per cent of total Canadian trade in 2017. Trade with Asia (excluding the Middle East) has grown by 9.5 percent since 2015 to $183.7 billion in 2017. Trade with Europe has grown by 8.7 per cent since 2015 to $107.9 billion in 2017.
The Government of Canada places a strong emphasis on exports because of the connection between trade and good, well-paying jobs, as industries that are export-intensive pay wages that are, on average, more than 50 per cent higher than industries that are not.
Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure 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.
