Unlocking Canada’s Economic Potential Through National Trade Corridors

Canada stands at a pivotal economic moment. As a trading nation, we rely on the smooth, efficient movement of goods to export markets. Trade infrastructure isn’t just a logistics issue—it’s the foundation of our prosperity.

Recent developments have made this clearer than ever. The return of US tariffs and escalating economic tensions have added new pressure. As global dynamics shift, Canada must act quickly to strengthen and diversify its trade infrastructure, especially across the West.

We’re encouraged to see major political parties have acknowledged the urgency of this challenge. Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed to a Liberal government investing in trade-enabling infrastructure that will diversify Canada’s export markets and reduce reliance on the US. The plan emphasizes job creation, long-term growth, and building a more integrated Canadian economy. Similarly, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to fast-track approvals for critical infrastructure through a proposed ‘Canada First’ National Energy Corridor—facilitating domestic and international transport of Canadian resources without dependence on US routes, as well as establish a Rapid Resource Project Office to handle all regulatory approvals across all levels of government. The NDP, for its part, has introduced initiatives such as Canada Victory Bonds and the Workers for Canada plan, focused on rebuilding critical infrastructure and fostering a worker-first economy to enhance Canada’s resilience amid global trade tensions.

These announcements reflect momentum, and that’s welcome. But good intentions need to be matched by clear, immediate action.

Where We Are

We were once the envy of many nations for our coordinated approach to trade infrastructure, particularly during the Asia Pacific Gateway Initiative (2007-2018). Since then, our infrastructure decisions have been fragmented, reactive, and slow to adapt to the scale of today’s challenges. 

According to WESTAC’s 2025 Compass Report, 64% of respondents cite disruptions as the top transportation challenge, nearly doubling last year’s figure. Collective bargaining challenges, extreme weather events and operational delays are creating volatility that makes it harder to plan, invest and deliver. The result? A growing sense that Canada’s reputation as a reliable trading partner is slipping. In fact, 61% of respondents say Western Canada’s supply chain reputation has worsened over the past year. 

We’re falling behind, not due to lack of expertise or interest, but because of inertia and prolonged approval processes. Delays in getting projects approved continue to discourage private-sector investment. In fact, 63% of transportation leaders find Canada’s regulatory environment as an ongoing source of frustration. Critical infrastructure projects that could boost capacity and resilience are routinely slowed by lengthy, unclear approval processes.

For instance, the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project underwent a decade-long environmental review before receiving federal approval in 2023. LNG Canada, first proposed in 2011, took seven years to reach a final investment decision and is only now, in 2025, preparing to ship its first cargo. Even with strong political and Indigenous support, it still required navigating a complex and lengthy approval and construction process. These delays send the wrong message to investors, and opportunities can be lost. 

The 2022 National Supply Chain Task Force called for a long-term, future-proof strategy to guide transportation investments. That recommendation remains outstanding.

Meanwhile, the global landscape is becoming more volatile. Political risks, trade uncertainty, and supply chain disruptions are no longer temporary anomalies—they’re recurring realities. In this context, strengthening our trade corridors isn’t just smart policy. It’s economic survival.

Why It Matters

Trade drives Canada’s economy. If we can’t move our goods, we can’t sell them. And if we continue relying heavily on a single market—the US—we expose ourselves to risk we can no longer afford.

Western Canada’s trade infrastructure is a critical national asset. Its ports, rail lines, roads, and intermodal hubs connect us to global markets and support industries across the country. But this infrastructure is under strain due to aging infrastructure (e.g. over-100 New West Rail Bridge), climate disruptions, bottlenecks, and rising costs that are making it harder to move goods. Compass Report data shows that 59% of leaders believe Canada’s global competitiveness has declined, and over half say Western Canada’s investment climate is worsening. If we don’t improve reliability and predictability, we risk losing business. 

Five Steps Canada Should Take Now

To build on today’s political momentum and close the infrastructure gap, WESTAC recommends five immediate actions that the federal government, whoever forms it after the upcoming elections, should take:

1. Release the National Transportation Supply Chain Strategy

The strategy, developed by the National Supply Chain Office, is urgently needed. It should provide a long-term roadmap to guide investment and foster coordination between industry and all levels of government.

2. Convene a Cross-Jurisdictional Working Group

A federal/provincial/territorial/industry/Indigenous working group should be formed to identify economic corridors of national significance. These stakeholders must be at the same table to ensure meaningful input, faster decisions, and shared accountability.

3. Designate and Prioritize These Corridors as National Trade Corridors

Once identified, these corridors should be formally recognized. Regulatory reviews for projects within them must be streamlined, with clear timelines and consistent standards.

4. Create a Federal Agency to Steward the Corridors

A dedicated federal body would provide oversight, coordinate efforts across provincial boundaries, and maintain meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities and industry stakeholders.

5. Recapitalize and Refocus the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF)

A new round of funding is needed, but it must come with targeted investment criteria and greater transparency. WESTAC’s framework for identifying infrastructure of national significance can help prioritize the highest-impact projects, with a focus on economic value, strategic location, resilience, and future opportunity.

This Is Economic Policy

Infrastructure is more than concrete and steel. It’s an economic strategy. It enables productivity, lowers trade barriers, reduces emissions, and supports long-term sustainability. A single well-planned project—a port expansion, a rail link, or a logistics hub—can unlock hundreds of millions in trade, reduce GHG emissions through greater efficiency, and create family-supporting jobs that last. But these benefits are only realized when we invest with purpose.

Delays have consequences. Every month of inaction costs us opportunities. Investors move on. Competitors surge ahead. Canada cannot afford to miss this window.

Let’s Not Waste the Momentum

It’s promising to see infrastructure, trade diversification, and regulatory reform discussed seriously on the campaign trail. These are not partisan issues. They are national priorities.

The commitments we’ve seen so far are a good start. But a long list of broken promises already exists in this space. What we need now is execution: real progress on real projects underpinned by a clear national vision.

Canada has what it takes to lead: industry insight, a strong private sector, and a shared recognition of what is at stake. But vision must be matched with execution. Announcements are not enough. Timelines and delivery matters.