Picton Terminals’ Amy Lynn D tug under bridge w huge pipe. Photo provided by Picton Terminals.
The Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) says the federal government’s 2025 budget demonstrates a strong recognition of the role the marine sector plays in Canada’s economic development, particularly in the movement of essential goods, raw materials and trade-driven supply chains.
The chamber welcomed specific financial commitments that directly impact the nation’s ports and inland waterways, and expressed readiness to work with Ottawa to translate the budgetary promises into visible results on the ground.
A major element of the budget is the new $5-billion Trade Diversification Corridors Fund, which will invest in port, rail, airport and digital infrastructure. The CMC says enhancing port capacity and improving inter-modal links will be crucial for maintaining Canada’s competitive position in global commerce, noting that the vast majority of consumer and industrial goods arrive by ship.
Another significant measure is the $1-billion Arctic Infrastructure Fund directed at northern transportation assets including seaports and all-season roads. The chamber says the marine sector has deep operational experience in northern regions and encourages the federal government to ensure that shipping operators, port authorities and Indigenous northern communities are directly included in the planning and execution of Arctic projects.
The CMC also supports the budget’s directive for the Canada Border Services Agency to identify more ports for container import and export. The chamber says expanding CBSA capabilities along the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system would unlock tens of millions of dollars in regional economic activity and accelerate industrial development in areas not traditionally served by large coastal container terminals.
The CMC describes Budget 2025 as a strong step forward and emphasizes that the next stage will require coordinated execution to build resilient, future-focused supply chains across Canada.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
