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Moving FORWARD

Preliminary consideration of the five policy lenses supports two priorities for new gateway and corridor strategies. Guided by this Framework, in 2007, the Government of Canada signed Memoranda of Understanding with Ontario and Quebec, committing to develop a strategy for the Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway and Trade Corridor, and with the four Atlantic Provinces to develop an Atlantic Gateway Strategy.

The Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway and Trade Corridor encompasses a system of land, air and marine transportation assets, including the Saint Lawrence River and Great Lakes, that offers a competitive and attractive gateway for international trade. The two central Canadian provinces represent approximately 60% of Canada’s exports and gross domestic product. Major transportation infrastructure assets of all modes, as well as four of Canada’s six highest volume border crossings, underpin this economic heartland. Optimal use and development of the region’s transportation system will be essential to support Canada’s current and future commerce relationship with the U.S. and other trade partners, and promise significant gains in competitiveness and sustainability.

In Atlantic Canada, current international trade volumes are relatively modest, leaving the transportation system with untapped capacity. Future trade patterns, particularly rising container trade driving demand for deepwater ports, the increasing use of the Suez route for Asian exports to North America and the expansion of the Panama Canal, point to growing potential. Major shippers are also increasingly considering North America’s east coast to balance inbound and outbound logistical flows. An integrated approach to an Atlantic gateway could significantly enhance Canada’s ability to capture a larger share of growing trade flows between North America and foreign markets.

The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative will, of course, proceed to new phases of implementation, building on early progress and the direction already established.

As gateway strategies mature, the synergies and linkages among them will also be developed, further deepening their contribution to the national pursuit of economic competitiveness.

The Government of Canada will work diligently with its private and public sector partners to fully seize Canada’s commerce, transportation and geographic opportunities.

Investing in Gateways and Corridors

Building Canada, the federal government’s long-term infrastructure plan, includes a new national fund for gateways and border crossings, with $2.1 billion over seven years. The National Policy Framework for Strategic Gateways and Trade Corridors helps guide federal investment decisions.

The Gateways and Border Crossings Fund is focused on a number of national gateway strategies and key intermodal linkages that enhance Canada’s trade competitiveness and the efficiency of the national transportation system. This fund helps support infrastructure improvements at and leading to key locations, such as major border crossings between Canada and the U.S. It also advances multimodal and technology initiatives that improve system integration.

Funding will be awarded on a merit basis.

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