This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning the trucking, rail, and shipping industries, ports, storage centers, cargo and container terminals, international and inter-provincial logistics, fulfillment centres, courier and delivery services. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• House HOC TRAN Committee: Landscape of Truck Drivers & Port Modernization: On March 23, 2026, the House Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee will examine the changing landscape of truck drivers in Canada and discuss port modernization for Quebec and Canada. Canada Post executives and representatives of major Canadian port operators will testify from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• HOC SECU Committee Reviews Supplementary Estimates Including CBSA: The Public Safety and National Security Committee will meet on March 24, 2026, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. to review Supplementary Estimates (C) for key agencies, including the CBSA.
• HOC ENVI Committee to Discuss Industrial Carbon Pricing: The House Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development will hold a session on March 24, 2026 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., focused on industrial carbon pricing, with scheduled appearances from stakeholders and industry groups.
• Senate Committee on Transport and Communications Addresses AI and Labour in Marine and Rail: March 24, 2026, the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications will meet at 9:00 a.m. to review AI in ICT and maintenance of essential services in federally regulated rail and marine sectors during labour disruptions.
• Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans Reviews Pacific Commercial Fisheries Licensing: On March 24, 2026, the Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee will convene at 6:30 p.m. to examine the Pacific commercial fisheries licensing regime, with witnesses from the BC Shrimp Trawlers' Association and the Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters' Federation.

Federal Government News

CBSA Initiates Investigation into Dumping and Subsidizing of Building Cables from China

On March 16, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced investigations pursuant to the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) on unarmoured building cables from China, triggered by a complaint from PTI Cables Inc. The CBSA is examining whether imports are entering Canada at prices below market value or are subsidized. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will conduct a preliminary inquiry on injury to domestic producers, with a decision expected by May 15, 2026. The CBSA will rule on the existence of dumping or subsidization by June 15, 2026. In 2025 alone, SIMA duties applied to $3.3 billion of imports, affecting an industry with over 43,000 jobs. These investigations could have direct effects on supply chain pricing and availability for industry players reliant on electrical and freight infrastructure.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Coast Guard Spring Icebreaking Operations Begin on St. Lawrence

The Canadian Coast Guard commenced its annual spring icebreaking on the St. Lawrence Seaway and related channels between Cardinal, Ontario, and Saint Lambert, Quebec as of March 18, 2026. The CCGS Martha L. Black was assigned but vessel assignments will remain flexible, contingent on operational needs and weather. Key operations include breaking ice to reduce flooding risk, facilitate safe movement for commercial shipping and communities, and coordinate closely with the US Coast Guard for effective ice management. Timing of the opening and navigation safety will be shaped by on-site ice conditions, with further updates available via the Canadian Coast Guard.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investments Support Defence, Supply Chain, and Maritime Innovation in Atlantic Canada

Through a combined investment exceeding $3 million under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) and Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is funding upgrades for MilAero Electronics Atlantic Inc., GSTS, and Survival Systems Limited in Dartmouth. Projects include new production equipment, digital tools for storage, a supply chain manager position, and the expansion of a maritime vessel-tracking AI platform. These targeted investments are expected to improve efficiency for aerospace and defence supply chains, strengthen regional manufacturing, and build resilience against disruptions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA Reports Arrests and Enforcement for Impaired Drivers at Land Borders

The CBSA reported the arrest of 634 drivers for impairment since January 2025 at land entry points, including commercial truck drivers. Incidents cited across Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Alberta involved detection of both alcohol and drugs, field testing, and referrals to the RCMP. Commercial transporters are among those subject to increased scrutiny, and enforcement actions occasionally uncover further infractions such as narcotics possession and smuggling.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA Increases Enforcement Against Impaired Driving on Ontario Borders

In the Southern Ontario Region, CBSA port of entry officers arrested 211 individuals since January 2025 for impaired-driving-related offences, including both Canadian residents and foreign nationals. Techniques include the use of screening devices and secondary inspections, with drivers subsequently transferred to local law enforcement. Recent arrests at the Blue Water, Ambassador, and Rainbow bridges show ongoing enforcement in a high-traffic region essential for cross-border supply chains.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA and Law Enforcement Expand Efforts Targeting Extortion and Organized Crime

The CBSA announced an expansion of enforcement against extortion networks, in partnership with regional law enforcement and specialized task forces, targeting organized criminal activity with potential supply chain impacts. From August 2025 to March 2026, 372 immigration investigations have commenced, resulting in 70 removal orders and 35 removals. Cases in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and the Greater Toronto Area show use of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for addressing suspected criminality linked to extortion.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA Seizes Assault-Style Firearms and Lays Charges in Cornwall

On March 3, 2026, CBSA officers intercepted three prohibited assault-style firearms and associated devices during a vehicle search after an attempted border crossing in Cornwall, Ontario. The accused, Warren Oakes, faces multiple charges under the Customs Act and Criminal Code. The joint operation involved the RCMP, OPP, and Akwesasne Mohawk Police, underscoring ongoing multi-agency approaches to border security.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA Human Smuggling Investigation Concludes with Prison Sentence

A US citizen, Sahil Aziz, was sentenced to two years in prison in Manitoba Provincial Court following a March 18, 2026 plea to human smuggling and related offences. Azis was arrested at the Emerson port of entry in February 2025, where CBSA officers discovered documents and credit card data. The case highlights the CBSA's investigation and prosecution processes for cross-border crime.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Defence Investment Announcement Scheduled for St. John’s, Newfoundland

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency will announce new funding from the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) for five businesses in St. John’s on March 19, 2026. Ministers Sean Fraser and Joanne Thompson, along with local MPs, will attend the event at PAL Aerospace. The session will be livestreamed and French-language materials will follow. This funding is set to support regional supply chain capabilities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and Supply Chain Support Measures Enter Effect

The Royal Assent of Bill C-19, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act, brings new fiscal measures for Canadian families, including a one-time top-up equal to a 50% increase in the 2025–26 GST credit. The government has committed $500 million from the Strategic Response Fund to allow businesses to address supply chain disruptions without raising consumer prices. A new $150 million Food Security Fund has been added to the existing Regional Tariff Response Initiative, with an additional $20 million allocated to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund and new policies for greenhouse expensing and a national food security strategy. These combine to support supply chain stability in domestic sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatCan Monthly Energy Transportation and Storage Data for January 2026 Now Available

Statistics Canada released transportation and storage data for crude oil and other liquid petroleum products for January 2026. The figures are available for industry reference and decision-making regarding pipeline and terminal operations.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Québec Announces $167 Billion Infrastructure Plan Prioritizing Maintenance and Public Transit

The Québec government released its Infrastructure Plan 2026–2036, allocating $167 billion over ten years, with $105.8 billion set for maintenance and $1.2 billion for public transit expansion and refurbishment.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Ontario Advances Road and Trucking Safety on Highway 11/17 Corridor

Ontario will bolster truck enforcement and infrastructure on the Highway 11/17 corridor, including new enforcement personnel, mobile inspection units, and increased rest area capacity, with $583 million earmarked for northern highways in 2025–26.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Extends Alstom Contract to Operate and Maintain GO Transit and UP Express

A five-year, $1.3-billion contract extension with Alstom will secure fleet operations and maintenance of GO Transit and UP Express service through 2031, supporting more than 1,100 jobs in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Quebec Ministry Publishes Updated Road Works Standards and Manuals

Quebec’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility issued new publications in its 'Road Works' Collection, including standards on traffic control devices, retaining devices, and construction manuals for structures.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Government Consultations

Health Canada Consultation: Permitting Pesticide Application by Drones

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency is conducting a consultation on allowing remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones) to apply pesticides registered for aerial use. The consultation closes March 25, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Trump waives U.S. shipping law for oil and gas in bid to lower prices: Temporary Jones Act waiver expected to affect coastwise shipping and energy markets.
• Consumers to bear the brunt as soaring fuel prices hit shipping industry, experts say: Pressures from international conflicts contribute to challenges in the freight sector.
• Critical Resource Race: The Multi-Billion Dollar Move Toward Secure Supply Chains: Global strategies for maintaining resilient supply chains.
• A do-or-die moment for one of Hawaii’s most contested trades: Industry changes in Pacific maritime trades.
• Opinion: Speed is the new sovereignty in the Arctic: Analysis of rapid operations in northern shipping and defence.
• Consumers set to pay the price as soaring fuel costs hit shipping industry: experts: Coverage of carrier fuel cost pass-throughs amid volatile global markets.
• Mar 16: How the Iran–Hormuz LNG Shock Will Hit Freight: Freight sector responses to the global LNG supply shock.
• Mar 18: Scan Global Logistics Cut CO₂ 86.9% on Ocean Lanes — Here’s the Playbook: Case study on reductions in ocean logistics emissions.

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