Issue
Recent shifts in international trade dynamics, including evolving U.S. trade policies that emphasize domestic priorities and transactional frameworks, and a measured diversification of Canada’s trade relationships have highlighted the importance of reducing reliance on any single market and strengthening links to a broader array of global customers. Strategic improvements to transportation and trade-enabling infrastructure will help Alberta businesses navigate this complex global environment, improve resiliency, and fully capitalize on diversified market opportunities.
Background
Growing international demand for Canadian goods and resources has increased the importance of reliable and efficient market access for Alberta businesses. Alberta exporters serve a wide range of North American and global markets, including agri-food and value-added agricultural products from southern Alberta, energy products such as liquefied natural gas and petrochemicals from northern Alberta, manufactured and processed goods, and emerging technology-enabled and services-based exports across the province.
Recommendations
That the Government of Canada:
- Complete the twinning of Highway 3, providing regular updates of timelines and progress.
- Collaborate with the Government of British Columbia to ensure that Highway 3 twinning efforts continue through to Hope, BC to prevent bottlenecks being moved west.
- Collaborate with counterparts in Montana, Nevada, and Arizona, as well as with the Government of Canada and relevant U.S. federal agencies, to advance a coordinated strategy for the CANAMEX Corridor focused on identifying and addressing rail network gaps that limit the efficiency and competitiveness of north–south freight movement for Alberta exporters.
- Create a plan for sustainable growth in local airports as cargo hubs with the intent to grow international and interprovincial opportunities.
- Continue to collaborate with the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to remove regulatory and interprovincial barriers and expedite approvals for oil pipeline infrastructure to tidewater in order to strengthen Alberta’s access to global energy markets
