Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning trucking, rail, and shipping, ports, cargo terminals, international and interprovincial logistics. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-05-25
End Date: 2025-05-31

Canadian Federal GR News

CBSA Seizes Major Cannabis Shipments at Montreal and Halifax Export Terminals

On April 30, CBSA border services officers at Montreal's Marine and Rail Service seized 641.83 kg of suspected cannabis, valued at over CA$4.8 million. The shipment, destined for Spain, was concealed in pallet bags inside cardboard boxes. Similarly, on May 5, CBSA officers at the Port of Halifax intercepted 1,610 kg of cannabis, with an estimated value nearing CA$12 million, falsely declared as tiles in documentation for export to Barbados. Both shipments were seized and the cases referred to the RCMP for investigation. CBSA officials have reiterated that the export of cannabis without Health Canada authorization constitutes a serious criminal offense under the Customs Act and the Cannabis Act.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

CBSA's Operation Blizzard Nets 2,600+ Seizures, Including Marine and Rail Container Narcotics

The CBSA concluded Operation Blizzard, a nationwide month-long surge targeting fentanyl and other narcotics in mail, air cargo, and marine containers, with over 2,600 seizures between February 12 and March 13, 2025. The initiative involved heightened inspections of outgoing shipments, particularly those routed to the United States. Of the total, 67.5% of narcotics were inbound from the U.S. and 17.5% outbound. CBSA reported seizure of 1.73 kg of fentanyl (1.44 kg outbound to the U.S.), 13 kg of cocaine, 142 kg of cocaine from Montreal rail containers, 419 kg of suspected cocaine at the Blue Water Bridge, 154 kg of ketamine, and multiple other contrabands concealed in marine, air, and rail shipments. The agency is continuing targeted enforcement as part of Canada’s broader border security measures.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Legislative Proposals Remove Federal Consumer Carbon Price Regime with Provisions for the Rail Sector

On May 27, the Department of Finance detailed multi-phase legislative amendments to repeal the federal fuel charge framework under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA). The federal fuel charge ceased by regulation as of April 1, 2025, with Parliament now seeking to formalize the repeal retroactively. Most charge provisions would be repealed immediately except for a specialized provision allowing certain railways to conduct year-end 'true-up' fuel charge calculations on pre-April 2025 consumption. This provision will remain active until October 1, 2025. Stakeholders with embedded fuel charge obligations for exported fuel between April 1 and October 1 are eligible for rebates, which along with registration provisions, will wind down through fall 2025. The final legal framework for the fuel charge is set to expire as of April 1, 2035, providing for any required reconciliations.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Updates Key Freight and Courier Price Indices for Q1 2025

Statistics Canada released several transport services price indices relevant to freight, ports, and logistics professionals. The For-hire Motor Carrier Freight Services Price Index (2021=100) is published for Q1 2025, while the Freight Rail Services Price Index (2018=100) provides updated figures for May. Additionally, the Couriers and Messengers Services Price Index (2019=100) is available for April. These datasets support ongoing market and cost analysis for freight operators, shippers, and supply chain firms. More granular details can be accessed through the respective Statistics Canada portal publications.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca, Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca, Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Steel Import Monitoring Program Releases Port-Specific Data

Global Affairs Canada updated multiple datasets under the Steel Import Monitoring Program, including breakdowns by port of entry, Harmonized System (HS) code, country, and industry class. These datasets, updated as of May 29, 2025, provide extensive information on the control and monitoring of steel imports under the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA). The information assists stakeholders in understanding import flows and compliance requirements at Canadian ports.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca, Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca, Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca, Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca, Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

FMCSA Finalizes Removal of Obsolete Routing Regulations for Motor Carriers

On May 30, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a final rule repealing for-hire motor carrier routing regulations under 49 CFR part 356. These provisions, which dated back to the ICC era, had become unenforceable following statutory changes under the ICC Termination Act and subsequent transfers of authority. The agency determined that the regulations exceeded current statutory mandate and were no longer applicable to operating authority decisions. The rule, effective immediately, is expected to reduce administrative complexity for motor carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics firms. FMCSA stated there would be no economic or operational impact from the repeal, as the rules have not been actively enforced in recent years.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Federal Maritime Commission Moves To Revoke Controlled Carrier Exemptions for Select Foreign Lines

The Federal Maritime Commission issued a notice of intent to revoke exemptions for certain controlled carriers no longer operating under their previous status. The action applies to ex-carriers like Sinotrans Container Lines Co., Hainan Shipping, and United Arab Shipping Company, following organizational changes including acquisitions and withdrawal from U.S. trades. The exemptions allowed these carriers expedited implementation of rates and tariffs. Active exemptions remain in place for COSCO SHIPPING Lines, OOCL, and OOCL (Europe), pending further review. Comments on the proposed revocations are open until June 30, 2025, under Docket No. FMC-2025-0010.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

White House Initiates Permitting Technology Action Plan to Modernize Federal Project Reviews

The Trump Administration launched the Permitting Technology Action Plan on May 30. Led by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the National Energy Dominance Council, the plan is intended to accelerate and modernize federal environmental reviews and permitting processes for major infrastructure projects. It introduces unified technology standards for permitting systems, a new NEPA data standard, and an implementation roadmap coordinated by the CEQ and General Services Administration. The Permitting Innovation Center will pilot advanced technology solutions, with the stated objective of reducing delays in permitting and increasing the predictability of review timelines for infrastructure development.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Quebec Introduces Legislation to Remove Interprovincial Trade Barriers

The government of Quebec tabled a bill aimed at reducing interprovincial trade restrictions, focusing on allowing for more seamless commerce across provincial lines. The legislation addresses hurdles for goods and labor mobility within Canada.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

Nova Scotia Removes Additional Interprovincial Trade Barriers for Trucks and Modular Construction

Nova Scotia passed regulations recognizing out-of-province commercial vehicles and factory-built buildings meeting national codes. Legislative changes to finalize these updates, supporting harmonized movement of goods and modular housing delivery, will be introduced in the fall.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Manitoba Advances Bill 47 Targeting Interprovincial Trade Barriers

Manitoba's Bill 47, the fair trade in Canada act, is positioned to remove trade barriers for goods and services between Manitoba and other Canadian jurisdictions, as recommended by the Premier's Business and Jobs Council.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.mb.ca

Ontario Steel Processor Fined for Fatality Linked to Forklift Operation

Janco Steel Ltd. of Stoney Creek, Ontario, was fined $200,000 following a conviction related to the 2022 fatality of a worker who was struck by an industrial forklift. The Ministry of Labour investigation determined that required safety procedures for forklift operation were not followed.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Saskatchewan Adjusts Beer Markup for Small and Medium-Sized Breweries and Announces Postal Disruption Contingency Measures

The Government of Saskatchewan reduced beer markup rates and raised the qualifying production limit for small and medium breweries, effective July 1. The province also issued updates on measures to address ongoing postal service disruptions.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister, met with Peter Xotta and Catherine McLay of Port Vancouver, discussing the need to expand the port’s trade corridor.

Sources: Social Media: x.com, Social Media: x.com

Chrystia Freeland met with Premier Rob Lantz, commending PEI’s Interprovincial Trade and Mobility Act and referencing joint work to improve ferry and Confederation Bridge affordability.

Sources: Social Media: x.com, Social Media: x.com

Chrystia Freeland praised legislation introduced by Quebec’s Christopher Skeete aimed at simplifying goods and labor mobility between Quebec and other provinces.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Larry Brock, MP for Brantford–Brant, drew attention to Operation Blizzard’s narcotics seizures, noting the significant volume of fentanyl and opium intercepted.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Clément Gignac posted about Mark Carney's plan to brief premiers on a strategy to expedite large-scale infrastructure projects.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Quebec tables bill to begin removing interprovincial trade barriers: Quebec government moves to reduce restrictions on interprovincial trade.
• Nutrien plans new West Coast port infrastructure, eyes sites in U.S. and Canada: Nutrien is evaluating new port sites for export capacity on both US and Canadian West Coasts.
• Grande Portage Announces Important Developments for Direct Ore Shipping at the Proposed Cascade Point Marine Terminal Site near Juneau, Alaska: Updates provided on new marine terminal and direct shipping plans in Alaska.