Investing in transportation infrastructure in the territorial North under the National Trade Corridors Fund

OTTAWA, Nov. 19, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada supports infrastructure projects that create quality middle-class jobs and boost economic growth. Enhancing the northern transportation system supports and promotes economic growth and social development, offers job opportunities, increases its resilience to a changing climate, and ensures that it adapts to innovative technologies.

Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced the call for proposals for funding to address transportation challenges in the territorial North.

The National Trade Corridors Fund is a core element of the Trade and Transportation Corridors Initiative. The fund is dedicating $2 billion over 11 years to strengthen Canada's trade infrastructure, including up to $400 million for transportation infrastructure in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. It also supports Canada's trade diversification strategy which is all about securing better trade deals and providing support to innovative, ambitious and hard-working Canadian entrepreneurs so they can achieve success here and in all corners of the world.

Eligible projects will support northern transportation infrastructure (ports, airports, all-season roads and bridges), and will enhance safety, security, and economic and/or social development in Canada's three territories. The projects should also address the unique and urgent transportation needs in Canada's territorial North, such as access to markets, difficult terrain and climate conditions, and the high cost of construction along Canada's northern trade corridors. In addition, consideration will be given to a project's ability to support trade to and from Canada's North.

Territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous groups, not-for-profit and for-profit private-sector organizations, and federal Crown Corporations and Agencies are all eligible and encouraged to submit expressions of interest until January 15, 2018. Comprehensive project proposals are due no later than March 29, 2019.

Quote

"Enhancing the northern transportation system will support and promote economic growth, trade diversification and social development, offer job opportunities, and ensure greater connectivity for Northerners. By creating new opportunities for Canadian investors, exporters and, especially, our small and medium-sized businesses, the Government of Canada is helping them access new customers, clients and the well-paying jobs that flow from these opportunities. I encourage Canadian business owners, commercial organizations and communities located in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut to apply for funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund."

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

"I am pleased to see the Government of Canada move ahead with this call for proposals. Transportation is a lifeline for Northern communities and economic development projects in Canada's Arctic. The most basic transportation infrastructure remains limited, making it difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to move passengers and commercial goods in and out of northern communities."

Michael McLeod
Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories

"Transportation and distribution of goods and people are a vital part of our local, regional and national economies. I encourage all those who are eligible to submit proposals to Transport Canada."

Larry Bagnell
Member of Parliament for Yukon

Quick Facts

• Transportation is a lifeline for northern communities and economic development projects, but infrastructure development is more costly in the territorial North than in southern Canada for reasons that include: a severe climate, difficult terrain, vast distances, limited access to materials and expertise, and a much shorter construction season.
• The northern call for proposals will allocate funding to address unique and urgent transportation infrastructure needs in Canada's territorial North.
• Enhancing the northern transportation system will support and promote economic growth and social development, offer job opportunities, and ensure greater connectivity for Northerners.

Related Product

• Backgrounder

Associated Links

• Trade and Transportation Corridors Initiative
• Investing in Trade and Transportation Infrastructure
• Transportation 2030

SOURCE Transport Canada