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: 2025-11-09 to 2025-11-15

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade: Canada and the Forthcoming CUSMA Review: The committee will convene on November 17, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Witnesses include senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, Innovative Medicines Canada, and MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville.
• Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications: Rail and Marine Labour Disruption Contingency Planning: On November 18, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., witnesses from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Grain Growers of Canada, Canpotex, and OEC Overseas Express Consolidators Inc. will address maintaining essential services in federally regulated rail and marine sectors.
• Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications: Supply Disruption – Fuels and Propane: Scheduled for November 19, 2025, at 6:45 p.m., the committee will hear from the Canadian Fuels Association, Canadian Propane Association, and the Canada Industrial Relations Board regarding supply chain resilience during labour disruptions.

Canadian Federal Government News

Canadian Coast Guard Accepts New Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel

The Canadian Coast Guard has received the CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk, an offshore oceanographic science vessel built by Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards and accepted on November 13, 2025. The vessel, now the largest scientific platform in the Coast Guard fleet, is equipped with multiple laboratories, advanced marine mammal observation stations, and dedicated research capabilities intended to support ocean science missions across the Atlantic and Arctic coasts. With capacity for 34 crew and 26 scientists, the vessel is intended for multi-week research missions as well as support for search and rescue and environmental response operations. The $1.47 billion project was constructed under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, which, between 2012 and 2025, has contributed an estimated $2.8 billion annually to Canada’s GDP and supported over 21,400 jobs per year. The Naalak Nappaaluk is scheduled to enter service in 2026, home-ported at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Project milestones including keel-laying and sea trials were completed earlier this year, with the ship’s naming conducted in collaboration with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Budget 2025 Implements ‘Buy Canadian’ Procurement Policy

Budget 2025 earmarks nearly $186 million to implement the new Buy Canadian Policy, detailed by the Honourable Joël Lightbound during a visit to Rio Tinto Alcan in Jonquière, Quebec. The measure assigns $98.2 million over five years to Public Services and Procurement Canada, $7.7 million over three years to the Treasury Board Secretariat, and $79.9 million over five years for a Small and Medium Business Procurement Program. These funds are allocated to ensure that federal departments and Crown corporations prioritize Canadian-made products and services, including within infrastructure spending streams and the Major Projects Office. The policy applies to procurements in construction, energy, technology, and clean manufacturing, with exceptions for sourcing from trusted trade partners if domestic suppliers are unavailable. It is expected to channel up to $70 billion in federal spending to domestic companies and will be phased in across all federal entities starting this month.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Budget 2025: Infrastructure Commitments for Magdalen Islands Communities

Transport Canada is moving to fund runway extension at Îles-de-la-Madeleine Airport under Budget 2025 as part of a suite of infrastructure investments for the Magdalen Islands. The Build Communities Strong Fund is set to provide $51 billion over ten years, with an ongoing $3 billion annually, supporting core infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water and transit systems, hospitals, and educational institutions. The fund offers dedicated streams for provincial/territorial projects ($17.2 billion), direct delivery projects ($6 billion), and community-level infrastructure ($27.8 billion). Transport Canada further detailed ongoing investments in local infrastructure and supply chain resilience in the Atlantic region, positioning the region for increased cargo and passenger movement as part of the government's national infrastructure modernization effort.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA Seizes 2,723 kg of Cannabis at Montreal Marine and Rail Services

The Canada Border Services Agency intercepted two cannabis export shipments at Montreal’s marine and rail terminals on September 17 and 26, with public disclosure on November 12, 2025. Officers seized a total of 2,723 kg of cannabis hidden in bundles of lumber and boxes of paper towel rolls, both shipments destined for the UK. The drugs were turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Possession, export, or import of cannabis remains a serious criminal offense under the Customs Act and the Cannabis Act, despite domestic legalization, with CBSA continuing efforts to prevent cross-border smuggling and support law enforcement investigations connected to organized crime.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Annual Closing of Arctic Marine Response Station in Nunavut

On November 9, the Canadian Coast Guard’s Arctic Marine Response Station in Rankin Inlet concluded its operational season, having completed six training exercises and responded to seven search and rescue cases through 2025. Coast Guard personnel traveled over 2,000 nautical miles on operational duties in Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield Inlet, and Whale Cove. Collaboration with Inuit communities, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and other northern organizations continued, with cultural education and technical training emphasizing land-based survival, oil spill response, and community partnerships.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment Supports Modernization at Gaspé’s Chantier Naval Forillon

Minister Mandy Gull-Masty announced more than $1.1 million in funding for Chantier Naval Forillon in Gaspé, Québec, to modernize its shipyard slipway. The investment aims to improve productivity at the shipyard and preserve regional shipbuilding jobs as part of Budget 2025’s $51 billion Build Communities Strong Fund. Additional funding up to $3.1 million will support the Exploramer Shark Pavilion in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. These allocations are targeted at strengthening local infrastructure and bolstering competitiveness in the marine sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Budget 2025: Buy Canadian Policy Announced in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador

During a tour of ongoing cold storage construction at Gander International Airport, Minister Joanne Thompson detailed nearly $186 million in Budget 2025 funding dedicated to purchasing Canadian goods and services for federal procurement. The package includes $98.2 million for Public Services and Procurement Canada and $79.9 million for a Small and Medium Business Procurement Program, designed to improve competition for contracts and reinforce local supply chains. The Buy Canadian Policy extends to the Major Projects Office, Build Canada Homes, the Defence Investment Agency, and infrastructure revitalization initiatives nationwide.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Manufacturing Sales Increase in September 2025

Statistics Canada’s Monthly Survey of Manufacturing reported a 3.3% rise in manufacturing sales for September, driven by increased sales of transportation equipment and petroleum and coal products. The third quarter of 2025 showed a 2.8% rise in total sales, which supports ongoing activity in trucking, rail freight, and containerized marine shipping sectors.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Growth in Canadian Energy Production, Consumption, and Exports

According to Statistics Canada, production, exports, and domestic consumption of energy products increased in 2024. The operational launch of the Trans Mountain Pipeline in May played a role in boosting exports. Increased domestic energy use was primarily seen in mining, oil and gas extraction, and pipeline transportation subsectors, directly affecting logistics supply chains for bulk commodities and supporting related infrastructure demands.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Input-Output Tables, 2022 Released

Statistics Canada has published the provincial input-output tables for 2022. These tables provide detailed inter-industry transaction data used for supply chain modelling, impact assessments, and trend analysis in freight, warehousing, and distribution sectors across all provinces.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Workplace Injury Results in Fine for Mississauga Poultry Processor

AM Wholesale Meats Ltd. was fined $50,000 after a worker was injured by a falling pallet in the shipping and receiving area. Ministry of Labour investigators found safety deficiencies in the racking system.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Saskatchewan Responds to Postal Service Disruptions

The Government of Saskatchewan reported ongoing efforts by ministries and Crown corporations to limit disruptions caused by postal service interruptions. Information regarding translated web content and access for francophone residents was also provided.

Sources: www.saskatchewan.ca

Quebec Announces Harmonization with Federal Budget Measures

The Government of Quebec issued a bulletin confirming the harmonization of certain fiscal measures with the federal budget introduced on November 4, 2025, available through its finance ministry website.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

US Federal Government News

Section 301 Trade Actions on China’s Maritime Sector Suspended for One Year

The United States Trade Representative suspended Section 301 tariffs and related trade actions targeting China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for a period of 12 months, starting November 10, 2025. The measures, which had imposed duties on marine cargo handling equipment and ship-to-shore cranes, are on hold following a trade and economic agreement between the US and China. The suspension allows for negotiations and ongoing investment in US shipbuilding, with allied support from Japan ($500 billion) and South Korea ($150 billion).

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Gulf of America and Cook Inlet Lease Sales Announced by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

BOEM has announced the holding of Oil and Gas Lease Sale 1 in the Gulf of America Outer Continental Shelf on December 10, 2025, as mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The sale area comprises all unleased available acreage, with primary lease terms ranging from 5 to 10 years based on water depth. Concurrently, a proposed notice of sale for Cook Inlet Lease Sale 1 has been posted, with comment periods open until January 9, 2026, and final sale scheduled for March 4, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Multiple USPS Negotiated Service Agreement Filings and System Transition

The Postal Regulatory Commission posted filings for new USPS negotiated service agreements in both domestic and international shipping products, with comment deadlines set for November 17. Additionally, the USPS announced the retirement of the Manifest Mailing System, effective April 1, 2026, transitioning business mailers to electronic documentation and USPS Ship for package manifesting.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

US-Ecuador, US-Guatemala Reciprocal Trade Frameworks

The White House announced new frameworks for reciprocal trade agreements with Ecuador and Guatemala. The agreements entail tariff reductions on industrial and agricultural products, commitments on supply chain resilience, digital trade facilitation, and regulatory improvements in areas such as labor, intellectual property, and market access.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Environmental Impact Statement Notice for Matagorda Ship Channel Improvement

The US Army Corps of Engineers issued a draft supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Matagorda Ship Channel Improvement Project in Port Lavaca, Texas, with a public comment period closing December 29, 2025.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Government Consultations

Consultation on Lac-Mégantic Rail Bypass Project Application

The Canadian Transportation Agency has opened a consultation period for public comments on Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s application to construct a 12.5 km rail bypass in Lac-Mégantic, shifting railway operations outside downtown. The comment period runs until December 23, 2025.

Sources: formulaires-forms.otc-cta.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Ships Stop Here campaign aims to bolster N.L.’s marine sector: Efforts to promote Newfoundland and Labrador’s maritime industry.
• The journey toward an expanded Port of Churchill has only just begun: Analysis of strategic developments in Manitoba’s northern port.
• UN shipping regulator advocates for industry emissions fee at COP30, despite Trump pushback: International deliberations on maritime emissions fees at COP30.
• Owner of private Manitoba rail port questions $18M provincial grant to potential rival: Local rail terminal operator raises concerns over provincial investment.
• Postmaster general says US Postal Service needs revenue growth, not just cuts: US Postmaster General addresses operational finances.
• Prince Rupert awaits its turn in Carney’s economic spotlight: Prince Rupert port considerations in context of national infrastructure strategy.

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