As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Improving the Overall Effectiveness of Canada’s Trade Corridors

Recommendation 1—Increased use of the St. Lawrence Seaway

That the Government of Canada cooperate with all stakeholders—including the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, ports, marine operators and businesses—to explore ways to increase year-round use of the St. Lawrence Seaway to transport goods within central Canada. As well, the Government of Canada should consider such issues as icebreaking capabilities, piloting fees, handling fees at terminals and docking fees.

Recommendation 2—Port infrastructure

That the Government of Canada support the proactive planning and timely development of major port infrastructure projects that would support viable future trade opportunities.

Recommendation 3—Northern infrastructure deficit

That the Government of Canada assess infrastructure needs in Canada’s remote northern areas with the goal of introducing a strategy that would ensure that these areas have the same level and types of infrastructure that are available in other areas of Canada.

Recommendation 4—Regulatory harmonization

That the Government of Canada work towards the increased harmonization of policies and regulations on freight transportation between both Canada and the United States, and Canada’s provinces and municipalities. In particular, harmonization should occur in relation to ballast water, capital infrastructure investments, the Great Lakes, and railway, air and road transport.

Recommendation 5—Environmental assessment process

That the Government of Canada ensure that any legislative or regulatory changes to the federal environmental assessment process do not unduly increase timelines for conducting environmental assessments or create uncertainty regarding funding for infrastructure in Canada’s trade corridors.

Recommendation 6—Encouraging private sector investments in trade corridors

That the Ministers of Transportation, International Trade Diversification, Infrastructure and Communities, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development collaborate with the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change to ensure that new environmental assessment procedures and infrastructure and climate change related funding envelopes would encourage more private-sector investments in trade corridors. In particular, the Government of Canada should make sure that project reviews are certain, predictable and timely, and that the requirements that applicants must meet are clear.

Recommendation 7—Labour shortage

That the Government of Canada prepare a nationwide policy to alleviate the labour shortage in the transport industry.

Optimizing the Capacity of Transportation, Logistical and Service Infrastructures

Recommendation 8—Border operations

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency, examine challenges that the Agency is facing in balancing the requirement for security at the border with the need to expedite the movement of goods and travellers between Canada and the rest of the world.

Recommendation 9—Trusted Traveller and Trader programs

That Transport Canada, in cooperation with the Canada Border Services Agency, take steps to expand the number of “Trusted Travellers” and “Trusted Traders” that are able to access expedited customs and inspection processes at border crossings.

Recommendation 10—Pre-approval program

That Transport Canada, in cooperation with the Canada Border Services Agency, take steps to implement a pre-approval program similar to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s Precheck program. The program should be designed in a manner that would allow pre-approved travellers to have expedited security processing by eliminating the requirement for them to remove their shoes, belts or light jackets, or to take liquids or laptops out of their carry-on luggage.

Recommendation 11—Data collection

That Transport Canada accelerate the collection and distribution of forecast and real-time data on rail freight transportation in Canada.

Recommendation 12—Publication of port activities data

That Transport Canada publish comprehensive and regular reports about the volumes, products, trends and other key indicators for each of Canada’s ports.

Recommendation 13—Supply chain visibility initiatives

That Transport Canada encourage the introduction of supply chain visibility initiatives, such as the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Supply Chain Visibility Project.

Recommendation 14—Climate change

That Transport Canada, in cooperation with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, continue to research the impacts of climate change on transportation infrastructure and the effects of increased marine traffic on coastal ecosystems.

Recommendation 15—Supply chain efficiency

That the Government of Canada seek to improve the efficiency of supply chains by deploying strategic technologies and infrastructure investments designed to eliminate bottlenecks along Canada’s trade and transportation corridors.

Recommendation 16—National trade corridor recognition

That the Government of Canada acknowledge the Niagara Region’s and the City of Hamilton’s strategic location within a one-day drive of major Canadian and U.S. cities, provincial designation as an Economic Gateway Centre & Zone, and federal recognition as a Foreign Trade Zone through designating the Region and City as a national trade corridor.

Recommendation 17—Shared marine technology

That the Government of Canada study the introduction of a single window approach to gather all of the information required by Canadian authorities regarding the arrival and departure of ships in Canadian waters. To facilitate sharing with transportation sector stakeholders, this information should be available electronically.

Recommendation 18—Optimization of land ties

That the Government of Canada work with its provincial and municipal counterparts to optimize ties between roads and rail networks with a view to ensuring that such ties are the easiest and most efficient means of getting cargo into and out of a port.

Recommendation 19—West Coast land use planning

That the Government of Canada encourage greater dialogue among stakeholders involved in supply chains on Canada’s West Coast supply. Their dialogue should focus on the development of a better balance among land use requirements, the demand for local transportation and industries’ freight requirements.

Recommendation 20—Mandate of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation

That the Government of Canada consider reviewing the mandate and budget of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation to ensure that the Corporation is able to achieve the goal of increased economic development of the land along the banks of the Welland Canal.

Recommendation 21—Review of the St. Lawrence Seaway

That the Government of Canada, as part of the Review of the St. Lawrence Seaway, consider widening the scope of the Review as it pertains to the Welland Canal. In particular, the scope should include consideration of:

• the impact of the Seaway on the economic development of the regions it serves;
• changes to the Corporation’s (mandate) policies and operational decision-making with a view to encouraging greater economic development of the lands managed by the Corporation, including through longer-term leases or the establishment of an expedited process to divest lands that are underutilized;
• measures that would facilitate foreign direct investment; and
• the need to remediate federally owned lands that are heavily contaminated, with an indication of the steps required either to return them to production or to divest them to an interested party under the terms of a negotiated agreement.

Recommendation 22—Coastal protection

That the Government of Canada study the environmental impact of increased coastal maritime commerce. As well, the Government should take the steps that are needed to protect the coastline while promoting the economic growth and industries that are pivotal to Canada’s economy.

Recommendation 23—Anchoring on the West Coast

That Transport Canada consider making the interim protocol on British Columbia anchorages both permanent and mandatory.

Encouraging Cooperation Among Stakeholders in Canada’s Supply Chain

Recommendation 24—National Trade Corridors Strategy

That the Government of Canada, in the context of the development of a National Trade Corridors Strategy, encourage enhanced dialogue with Indigenous communities, businesses, government agencies and international economic partners with the goals of strengthening strategic local, national and international trade corridors and ensuring long-term investments in needed infrastructure.

Recommendation 25—Regional strategic transportation planning organizations

That the Government of Canada encourage the creation of regional and binational strategic transportation planning organizations that would focus on Canada’s main trade corridors. These organizations, which should include representatives from Transport Canada, should focus on appropriate integrated planning, among other matters.

The Minister of Transport should review the strategic plans developed by these organizations to ensure that an integrated and collaborative process among all relevant entities is used when capacity is forecast, performance is modelled and programs are developed to ensure that current transportation systems are kept in good repair and undergo appropriate improvements and expansion.

Recommendation 26—Cost-benefit analysis

That Transport Canada require an analysis to be conducted before federal infrastructure funding is allocated for proposed trade corridor projects. This analysis should determine whether the benefits of a particular improvement would exceed its expected cost. As well, this analysis should use a multiple account evaluation framework that includes financial, regional economic development, trade, environmental and regional quality of life benefits as targeted objectives.

Recommendation 27—Funding options for short-line railways

That the Government of Canada review its funding options for short-line rail operators in order to ensure that their networks are in good repair and to enable proper capital planning by them. As well, the Government should assess the need to introduce targeted funding programs for these operators.

Recommendation 28—Program criteria

That the Government of Canada demonstrate flexibility in the criteria for infrastructure funding programs in order to not exclude carriers that transport both passengers and freight.

Recommendation 29—Regional airports

That Transport Canada assess the needs of Canada’s small regional airports and determine whether the level of funding provided under the Airports Capital Assistance Program should be increased to enhance current and potential passenger and freight handling capacity, and to take into consideration economies of scale with respect to adjacent airports.

Recommendation 30—Participation of Indigenous communities

That the Government of Canada establish a monitoring system to ensure the participation and consultation of Indigenous communities in transportation-related decisions.

Recommendation 31—Mid-Peninsula Transportation Corridor

That the Government of Canada recognize Canada’s need for expedited and reliable access to the U.S. border, including across the Niagara Region’s congested international bridges, and cooperate with the Government of Ontario and affected municipalities to establish redundancy in relation to the current Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) highway. To that end, the Government should consider the creation of a Mid-Peninsula Transportation Corridor.