Feds inject $17M to make it easier to ship goods

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This article was published 14/10/2022 (1434 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg’s airport was the launchpad of a $17 million funding announcement aimed at improving supply chains.

Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra touted “investments that keep our supply chains moving and easing congestion” Thursday.

The $17 million, which Ottawa committed to in its latest budget, will be spread across five years and streamline operations between train, plane and sea in Canada, Alghabra said.

When asked how much would be allocated specifically to Manitoba, his office did not respond by print deadline.

The $17 million will be put towards, in part, shifting from physical paper to the use of electronic shipping documents when transporting dangerous goods; launching a system to improve air cargo security; and creating a uniform system for digital information regarding ships in Maritime ports.

Ottawa has already amended the Canada Transport Act so Transport Canada can offer digital services, Alghabra noted.

Alghabra’s announcement comes on the heels of a National Supply Chain Task Force report, released earlier this month. The task force made 21 recommendations on how to improve Canada’s supply networks.

“Is this a good move? Absolutely, it’s a good move. Is it the only thing needed to make our supply chains more efficient? No, and (the government) will understand that,” said Diane Gray, CentrePort Canada’s president, who is leaving the helm of North America’s largest trimodal inland port next week.

Supply chain backlogs still persist, but it depends on what you’re ordering, she said, noting there are still shortages of vehicle parts and overhead doors are taking longer to arrive than before the pandemic.

Tackling infrastructure, labour shortages and regulatory challenges are crucial, she said, adding she would like to see streamlined shipping procedures across provinces.

Labour is the top issue affecting Manitoba’s trucking industry, said Aaron Dolyniuk, executive director of the Manitoba Trucking Association.

He applauded the task force recommendations, namely, those focused on recruiting and training workers.

“That’s music to our ears,” he said.

A 2021 Manitoba Labour report stated 5,000 truck driver positions would be opening over a five-year period.

“I don’t believe we are anywhere near that number (of new recruits) now,” Dolyniuk said.

He responded positively to Alghabra’s announcement to digitalize dangerous goods documents. He also pointed to the Canada-U.S. border, where trucks have been lining up in excess of two kilometres to cross.

More border security officials are needed to keep things moving, he said.

“If you speed up the ability for people to move things because the paperwork (is) a lot easier, then by default, you’re going to see products be able to come quicker,” said Rick Reid, executive director of Supply Chain Canada’s Manitoba branch.

He questioned whether there would be enough border officials to meet demand.

Committing money to transportation infrastructure is crucial, Reid added.

Most parcels from Asia come through Vancouver, so if the port is in crisis, as it was during last year’s atmospheric storm, numerous organizations’ supply chains are affected, he said.

The national task force addresses infrastructure in its report, including changes to major roads.

Alghabra said he plans to make further announcements in line with the recommendations, though he didn’t specify dates on Thursday.

The task force report recommends waiving 50 per cent of airports’ rent in the short term so they can focus on infrastructure.

“If we can build that out, it’s only going to strengthen the supply chain for our country,” said Tyler MacAfee, the Winnipeg Airports Authority’s vice-president of external affairs.

Money would go towards building the airport’s new cargo plane facility, MacAfee said.

Cargo planes have accounted for about 18 per cent of the airport’s total landings this year.

Federal Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne is looking at attracting investment back to Canada for more homegrown manufacturing, Alghabra said.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com