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.

Dates: 2025-06-29 to 2025-07-05

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📱 Public Officials' Social Media
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Federal Government Eliminates All Remaining Exceptions in Canadian Free Trade Agreement

The federal government has announced the elimination of all 53 remaining federal exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), a move announced by Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Chrystia Freeland, on June 30. Many of these exceptions pertained to procurement—specifically including transportation services and commercial land development—now offering Canadian businesses broader access to procurement opportunities nationwide. The government also cited the passage of Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act, as a measure to further remove internal trade and labour mobility barriers and to accelerate nation-building projects. Provinces and territories have undertaken their own reviews, with outcomes expected at the Committee on Internal Trade meeting scheduled for July 8. These policy changes are expected to alter the landscape of transportation, logistics, and infrastructure, enabling greater market access and project mobility across all provinces.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CBSA Alters Service Model at Pohénégamook Border Crossing in Quebec

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced it will transition the Pohénégamook, Quebec, border crossing from in-person service to the Program for Travellers in Remote Areas – Quebec (PTRA-Q), effective July 7. Under the new model, travellers must enroll in PTRA-Q, and service will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing on weekends and U.S. statutory holidays. Officers from CBSA will be redeployed to higher-traffic crossings, increasing capacity where needed while automating entry at Pohénégamook. The change is positioned as a measure to shift resources to busier ports of entry and modify service according to cross-border traffic demands.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Updated Price Indices for Freight and Couriers

Statistics Canada published the Couriers and Messengers Services Price Index for May 2025 and the Freight Rail Services Price Index for June 2025. Sector stakeholders now have updated reference data on service price movements for both courier delivery and rail freight, with the indices using 2019 and 2018 base years, respectively. These indices provide insight into recent cost trends for logistics operations and contractual negotiations.

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

Government Invests in Whitehorse Transit Fleet Expansion

The federal and territorial governments have confirmed investment into expanding the transit fleet in Whitehorse. Though no further details were included in the announcement, such investments typically impact transit fleet management and procurement opportunities for suppliers in the region.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

From our Editor's Desk

Class I Quarterly Earnings Season: We’ve arrived at the mid-way point of 2025, meaning Q2 earnings season is just around the corner. Canadian National will be first to report, on Tuesday, July 22nd. Then CSX on July 23, Union Pacific on July 24 and Norfolk Southern on July 29.  Railroads are not exactly in a mood to celebrate as they enter the second half of the year. For sure, the first half was in many ways pleasing. Class I profit margins were strong as usual in Q1. Operational reliability was generally good throughout the half. Labor tensions were generally mild. And freight volumes increased versus last year, a key accomplishment for an industry whose top commercial priority is exactly that: Volume growth. However, the volume growth was largely driven by a surge in international intermodal traffic and strong bulk demand, specifically for coal and grains. 

US Federal GR News

FRA Considers Brake Testing Technology Waivers for Cross-Border Freight Trains

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received petitions for waivers of compliance related to air brake testing regulations from Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CPKC) and, in a separate filing, from CPKC with Union Pacific Railroad. The requests concern the use of wayside wheel temperature detectors (BET Process) as an alternative to manual Class I brake tests for heavy grade freight trains operating between Canada and the United States, including bulk bitumen trains to Texas and potash unit trains to Oregon. The waivers reference upcoming Canadian regulatory changes that will allow such technologies without exemption by December 2025, and request cross-border recognition in the US. Comments are open until August 4, with the FRA indicating reliance on public hearing records from similar cases.

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

US Maritime Administration Requests Comments on Use of Foreign-Built Passenger Vessels in Coastwise Trade

MARAD has published notices requesting public comments on proposed use of several named foreign-built small passenger vessels (M/V WE DID IT!, S/V DREAM, S/V DREAM WEAVER, M/V MAXIMIZE) in US coastwise trade, each carrying up to 12 passengers.

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

Postal Regulatory Commission Invites Comments on New Postal Product Filings

The Postal Regulatory Commission has issued notices for public comment on several new negotiated service agreements filed by the USPS, covering both Priority Mail and Ground Advantage contracts, with related proceedings and appointed public representatives.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Manitoba Recognized for Removal of Domestic Trade Barriers

Manitoba received an A- grade on the CFIB Interprovincial Cooperation Report Card for its efforts in reducing trade barriers, following recent regulatory adjustments to enable mutual recognition with other provinces.

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

Saskatchewan Outlines Postal Service Disruption Plans

The Government of Saskatchewan announced ongoing efforts to minimize the effects of postal service disruptions and reported a Q3 loss of public money by the South East Cornerstone School Division, with updates provided on its website.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca, Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

Sima Acan, MP for Oakville West, acknowledged the One Canadian Economy Act becoming law and described it as producing major changes to Canadian internal trade rules, affecting project approvals and infrastructure.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Dan Albas, MP, referenced the federally enforced Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act on June 29.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Jill McKnight, MP for Delta, posted about a significant event aboard HMCS Vancouver recognizing Op MOBILE and the transfer of Pacific Fleet command.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator David Wells noted in a speech at OSCEPA increasing maritime threats to Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, including cable tampering and foreign incursions into territorial waters.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• ‘It can’t just be a competition on price’: Why Seaspan didn’t bid on BC Ferries contract: Industry perspectives on procurement in BC’s ferry sector.
• Trump tax bill earmarks $8.6-billion for U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers in the Arctic: New US spending plans for Arctic maritime assets.
• First Cargo Puts Canada on the Map of LNG Exporting Nations: Coverage of Canada’s entrance into LNG exports.