Trade and Transportation Corridors Initiative

As announced in November 2016 and detailed in Budget 2017, the Government of Canada will invest $10.1 billion over the next 11 years in trade and transportation projects. This investment will:

  • build stronger, more efficient transportation corridors to international markets
  • help Canadian businesses compete, grow and create more jobs for Canada's middle class

The investment contributes to our Transportation 2030 goals, which include modernizing transportation infrastructure – our roads, bridges, airports, rail lines, port facilities and trade corridors.

On this page

Supporting trade corridors

The Trade and Transportation Corridors Initiative (TTCI) will invest $2 billion over 11 years for the National Trade Corridors Fund, a merit-based program to make Canada's trade corridors more efficient and reliable. The program will:

  • Support the flow of goods and passengers by reducing bottlenecks, and address capacity issues
  • Help the transportation system withstand the effects of climate change and make sure it is able to support new technologies and innovation
  • Address the unique transportation needs in Canada's territorial North to improve safety and foster economic and social development
  • Build on investments made by a variety of public and private sector partners

Well-functioning trade corridors will allow Canadians to compete in key global markets and trade more efficiently with essential partners.

In addition to streamlining transportation along Canada's major trade corridors, the Fund will look for ways to:

  • improve the flow of supplies to northern communities
  • support economic opportunities in our three territories

Transportation innovation

As travel and transportation evolves, the Government of Canada must stay on top of changing trends by updating regulations, certifications and standards. This $50 million investment under the TTCI includes activities such as:

  • developing regulations for the safe use of connected and automated vehicles and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs or "drones")
  • working with industry, provinces, territories and municipalities to establish pilot projects (for example, evaluating UAV technology at a new test centre)
  • establishing standards and certifications for the safe use of these new technologies

Data exchanges on transportation information

To make smart decisions, federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments as well as the private sector need access to high-quality, timely and accessible data and analysis.

A $50 million investment under the TTCI will help create a new Canadian Centre on Transportation Data. This centre will gather information needed to make targeted investments in trade corridors, which will support growth and the creation of good, well-paying jobs.

Accessible, accurate and timely data exchanges will help our transportation partners:

  • strengthen transportation coordination and planning
  • maintain an effective and reliable transportation system
  • identify transportation investment needs

By moving goods more efficiently across supply and distribution chains, cost of goods and transit time will decrease.

Related links