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.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Freight & Ports? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Aviation and Oil & Gas.

Dates: 2025-10-26 to 2025-11-01

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Committee Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Committee Calendar

• House Committee on International Trade Convenes for CUSMA Review Hearings: International Trade committee will hold witness sessions on the forthcoming CUSMA review November 3, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; includes Calgary and Edmonton Chambers of Commerce, Forest Products Association of Canada.
• House Transport Committee to Examine Truck Driver Issues November 6: Transport, Infrastructure and Communities committee meets November 6, 8:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. with witnesses from the Canada Revenue Agency and Hon. Wayne Long on the changing landscape of truck drivers.
• Senate TRCM Committee Continues Study on Essential Freight Services Amid Labor Disputes: Senate Transport and Communications committee meets November 4, 9:00 a.m. with Canadian Labour Congress, International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Teamsters Canada, Freight Management Association, and Mining Association of Canada as witnesses.
• Senate TRCM Committee Hosts Industry and Aboriginal Business for Further Input: Senate Transport and Communications committee reconvenes November 5, 6:45 p.m. to hear from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Chemistry Industry Association, and Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
• Senate AEFA Committee Schedules Review of CUSMA and NAFTA Trade Relationships: Senate Foreign Affairs and International Trade committee meets November 6, 10:30 a.m., with Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, and Canadian Cattle Association participating in CUSMA-focused hearings.
• Senate POFO Committee Considers Ocean Carbon Sequestration: Senate Fisheries and Oceans committee meets November 4, 6:30 p.m., in camera, to discuss future agenda and report on ocean carbon sequestration topics.
• Senate ENEV Committee Reviews Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Sector: Senate Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources committee meets November 6, 8:00 a.m., covering Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore petroleum industry.

Canadian Federal GR News

Senate Committee Considers Labor Dispute Reforms in Transportation Sector

The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications held back-to-back meetings exploring amendments to the Canada Labour Code aimed at managing labor disputes in transportation and communications. Stakeholders, including Paul Champ and Ian Lee, debated legal updates to ensure essential services during strikes, while industry representatives such as Eric Harvey (Railway Association of Canada), Stephanie McGuire (CN), and Nathan Cato (CPKC) proposed solutions ranging from compulsory arbitration to third-party mediation. The Montreal Port Authority called for predictable labor relations. The government is weighing options to empower cabinet intervention during disputes perceived as threats to national interest.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Federal Crackdown on Truck Driver Misclassification and Driver Inc. Scheme in Budget 2025

The Department of Finance announced a $77 million, four-year commitment in Budget 2025 for the Canada Revenue Agency to address long-standing tax compliance issues and misclassification of truck drivers under the so-called Driver Inc. scheme. Amendments to the Income Tax Act and Excise Tax Act are intended to improve information sharing between the CRA and Employment and Social Development Canada. House of Commons committee witnesses—including Ministers Patty Hajdu and Stephen MacKinnon—cited recent government investment of $26.3 million, over 650 inspections since April 2023, and findings of 129 misclassification cases. New measures will shift the burden of proof to employers and enforce stricter compliance reporting. Industry concerns were raised regarding the handling of temporary foreign workers, unpaid fines, and national standards for driver training, highlighting renewed federal scrutiny of employment practices in the trucking sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca, parlvu.parl.gc.ca

Canada Initiates Anti-Dumping Probe Into Chinese Truck Bodies

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal opened a preliminary injury inquiry following a complaint by Morgan Canada Corporation and Morgan Transit Corporation, alleging injury from dumped and subsidized truck bodies imported from China. The inquiry, under the Special Import Measures Act, responds to Canada Border Services Agency investigations. By December 29, 2025, the Tribunal will assess if there is reasonable indication of injury; if confirmed, CBSA will proceed to preliminary determinations by January 23, 2026. Potentially affected stakeholders may participate by filing a Notice of Participation as part of the Tribunal's process.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian Coast Guard Launches Hybrid Vessel and Completes Bay Class Series

The Canadian Coast Guard commenced construction of its first diesel-electric hybrid near-shore fishery research vessel at Chantier Naval Forillon, Gaspé, Quebec, marking a shift toward lower-emission operations. The vessel will operate with up to 20% biodiesel. Concurrently, the final Bay Class search and rescue lifeboat, CCGS Baie de Gaspé, joined the renewed Coast Guard fleet. The Coast Guard, represented by Deputy Commissioners Marc Mes and Andy Smith, reported an expanded mandate in national defense, under legislative revisions to the Oceans Act. The civilian fleet is investing in new technologies, including drones, for enhanced Arctic domain awareness, continuing its unarmed status while supporting operational integration with NORAD. The program also involves wider collaboration for incident management and ongoing investments in search and rescue assets.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca, parlvu.parl.gc.ca

CBSA Seizes 800 kg Cannabis Destined for Export in Halifax

CBSA officers intercepted 801.5 kilograms of cannabis in a marine container departing Halifax for the United Kingdom; the shipment had been declared as wire mesh bins. The seizure was transferred to RCMP Eastern Region Federal Policing for investigation. Cross-border cannabis smuggling charges can result in up to 14 years' imprisonment under the Cannabis Act.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Calgary Resident Charged in Attempted Drug Importation at Coutts Border

On September 25, CBSA officers discovered nearly 77 kg of cocaine valued at $7 million in a commercial truck entering Canada from the United States at the Coutts port. The driver, a Calgary resident, faces multiple charges and is scheduled for a court appearance in Lethbridge.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CUSMA Review and Canada-U.S.-Mexico Trade Challenges Discussed by Senate Committee

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade examined Canada's approach to CUSMA in dialogue with Ambassador Kirsten Hillman and Global Affairs Canada official Martin Moen. The session addressed disruptions from U.S. tariffs, the upcoming joint CUSMA review, and ongoing consultations. Senators queried strategies for addressing U.S. trade policy unpredictability, with focus on softwood lumber and impacts on aluminum and steel. Industry perspectives pushed for stronger trade measures amid the advertising dispute and continued industry-government engagement.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Statistics Canada Releases Freight Rail and Courier Price Indexes

New data for October's Freight Rail Services Price Index and September's Couriers and Messengers Services Price Index are available from Statistics Canada, providing updated industry price benchmarks.

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

Competition Bureau Seeks Feedback on Anti-Competitive Conduct Guidelines

The Competition Bureau Canada is inviting public comment on its expanded enforcement guidelines for anti-competitive conduct and agreements, reflecting amendments made to the Competition Act between 2022 and 2025. Businesses may submit feedback until January 29, 2026.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

FCC Opens Comments on Proposed Submarine Cable Security Rules

The FCC published a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking designed to mitigate national security risks to submarine cable infrastructure. Proposed changes would require owners and operators of submarine line terminal equipment (SLTEs) to hold blanket licenses subject to annual reporting and security certifications, including routine conditions related to foreign adversary entities. Public comments are due by November 26, 2025; reply comments by December 26, 2025.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

US Postal Regulatory Commission Announces Multiple New Competitive Service Agreements

The Postal Regulatory Commission listed several new negotiated service agreements for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage under competitive products. Public comments on contracts—including PM-GA Contracts 1447 and 1448—are due by November 3 or 4, 2025, depending on docket.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board Meets to Discuss 2027 Fees and Financial Audit

The UCR Plan Board convened October 30 to review registration fees for 2027, external financial audit updates, and administrative budget proposals for 2026. The meeting also included operational updates from DSL Transportation Services and Seikosoft.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USPS Approves International Service Contract for Priority Express and First-Class Packages

USPS filed a request to add an international service contract covering Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, and First-Class Package International Service to the competitive product list, expanding negotiated service agreements with international customers.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Saskatchewan Continues Measures to Reduce Postal Service Disruptions

Government of Saskatchewan ministries and agencies report ongoing efforts to limit postal service disruptions, including translation initiatives for public content.

Sources: www.saskatchewan.ca, www.saskatchewan.ca, www.saskatchewan.ca, www.saskatchewan.ca, www.saskatchewan.ca

Ontario LCBO Fined $80,000 After Warehouse Lift Truck Injury

The LCBO in London, Ontario was fined after a warehouse worker suffered a critical injury while operating a lift truck with unqualified training supervision, in violation of Occupational Health and Safety Act requirements.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

Canadian Marine Advisory Council Opens Fall 2025 Meeting Registration

Transport Canada invites industry to participate in Canadian Marine Advisory Council meetings November 4-6, 2025, to discuss marine safety and security regulation.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: tc.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• dynaCERT Presents HydraGEN™ at International Logistics Trade Fairs: Coverage of low-emission port logistics technologies showcased at logistics trade fairs.
• CN Rail lays off some 400 managers as tariffs take a bite out of shipping volumes: Management layoffs at CN Rail attributed to tariff impacts.
• Federal food-safety regulator launches inspection blitz after deadly listeria outbreak: Federal CFIA announces new inspection measures following an outbreak.
• CN cuts spending, lays off workers as tariffs curtail shipping to U.S.: Tariff pressures prompt CN Rail to reduce capital spending and workforce.
• Morning Update: Shifting tides of trade and tariffs: Morning breakdown of recent trade and tariff developments affecting Canada.
• Crackdown on ‘out-of-control’ trucking loophole promised in upcoming federal budget: Federal plans for new regulation of trucking employment practices.

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