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.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Freight & Transport? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Oil & Gas and Defence. Also consider subscribing to our Freight & Transport - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-03-22 to 2026-03-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Budget 2025 Implementation Act Receives Royal Assent, Authorizing Large-Scale Infrastructure, Supply Chain, and Industry Measures

The House and Senate passed Bill C-15, the Budget Implementation Act, 2025, No. 1, with Royal Assent granted March 26. The law enables major fiscal measures including the Build Canada Homes program and a Clean Electricity investment tax credit, and backs the Alto High-Speed Rail line connecting Toronto and Québec City. Provisions include a new Productivity Super-Deduction for capital investments, augmenting Research & Development incentives and slashing SR&ED claim times. Transport, logistics, and related operators may see long-term effects from the National School Food Program Act, Buy Canadian procurement policies ($186 million over five years), $5 billion for a Strategic Response Fund to offset U.S. tariffs and support affected sectors, and targeted worker training programs. Trade measures advance the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund and $1B for Arctic Infrastructure, with proposals open for supply chain-enhancing projects. The Act also creates a new Defence Investment Agency for procurement, boosts CBSA and RCMP hiring, reinforces the financial crimes regime, and strengthens digital and stablecoin regulatory frameworks.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act Now Law, Expanding CBSA and Canadian Coast Guard Powers

The Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) received Royal Assent on March 26, granting enhanced powers to key agencies. New provisions enable the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to inspect outbound—as well as inbound—goods, harmonizing control over exports with import standards. The Canadian Coast Guard is now authorized to conduct security patrols, collect and analyze intelligence, and pass information to enforcement partners, thereby increasing its role in maritime domain awareness without gaining law enforcement powers. The Act also strengthens the RCMP’s authority to share information on registered sex offenders and grants Health Canada powers to more quickly regulate precursor chemicals used in controlled substances. The anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regime receives further enforcement resources, including collaboration among financial agencies and harsher penalties.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Coast Guard: New Security Authorities Activate Expanded Maritime Domain Role

Recent amendments to the Oceans Act provide the Canadian Coast Guard formal authority for security-related activities in Canadian waters. The Coast Guard can now perform security patrols, increased surveillance, and aggregate and share intelligence with federal security partners. These measures aim to bolster maritime security while maintaining traditional Coast Guard roles, including search and rescue, environmental protection, and icebreaking functions. The Coast Guard will continue to consult with Indigenous groups under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the Inuit Nunangat Policy regarding these new duties.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA Issues Guidance for Importing Commercial Goods for FIFA World Cup 2026

With the FIFA World Cup approaching, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) published guidance for importers moving commercial goods by land, air, or water. All commercial importers must use the CARM Client Portal for tax and duty management, and non-resident importers have specific obligations regarding CRA business numbers and record-keeping. Certain imports supporting World Cup activities may benefit from the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 Remission Order, subject to compliance with CBSA requirements and possible permit or inspection needs. The CBSA also details the application of GST, tariff classifications, and customs duties, and describes programs like Release Prior to Payment (RPP) that may expedite clearance.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Committee Reviews Bill C-15: Key Implications for RCMP, CBSA, and Canada Post

On March 24, the Senate’s Standing Committee on National Finance considered impacts of Bill C-15, with witnesses from the RCMP, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and Canada Post. RCMP testified on new indexation of injury benefits to the CPI beginning January 2027 and noted that amendments could delay benefits due to curbs on information-sharing with Public Safety and Veterans Affairs. The committee heard that cumulative financial losses at Canada Post have exceeded $5.5B since 2018, with immediate government funding needed to avert insolvency. Senators debated the future of reduced rates for libraries and free-postage programs for the visually impaired.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Federal Spending Plan: $1B for Canada Post, $1B for Security, and Coast Guard Mandate Expansion

The Senate National Finance Committee met March 25 to review $4.0B in additional funding across 56 organizations under the 2025-26 Supplementary Estimates (C). Canada Post is scheduled to receive $1B in stabilization funding, while security and defense will benefit from a new $1B Treasury Board central vote. Department of National Defence (DND) representatives discussed increases in departmental authorities meant to meet NATO commitments. The Coast Guard is slated for $129M to support its newly expanded security mandate. Senators raised questions about how non-defense spending is counted toward NATO benchmarks; clause-by-clause examination proceeded and will report back to the Senate by March 27.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Defence Industrial Strategy and Fleet Procurement Scrutinized at Senate Committee

The Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs convened March 23 for public input on defense procurement, featuring industry, academic, and Indigenous representatives. Michael Jacobs (Canadian Council of Indigenous Business) advocated for set-asides and the use of an Indigenous business directory to increase participation in federal contracts. Mike Mueller (Aerospace Industries Association of Canada) urged rapid procurement reform to tie civil and defense aerospace investments to national innovation goals. Criticism of current procurement delays and overrun risks was raised by Michael Byers, who questioned the emphasis on industrial targets over operational needs. The committee discussed the role of a new Defence Investment Agency and digital tools for procurement, as well as long-term maintenance of sovereign capabilities.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Atlantic Canada Receives $1.3M for Modernization and Export Capacity Through Tariff Response Program

On March 24, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced nearly $1.3 million in support for three Dartmouth companies through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. Outdoor-Fit Exercise Systems will expand automation and product development; Reftek Systems is building a specialized sensor lab in Halifax; Aurea Technologies receives funding for compliance testing and international expansion of its Shine 2.0 turbine. This federal investment targets regional productivity and resilience, market diversification, and supply chain security for local manufacturers.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Quebec University Secures $3.6M for Defence Sector Cybersecurity and Transportation Systems Lab

The Université du Québec en Outaouais has obtained a $3.6 million non-repayable contribution as part of the Regional Defence Investment Initiative for Quebec. The federal funding supports establishing a laboratory to simulate and counter cyberattacks on defence supply chains, including ransomware, espionage, and operational disruptions. This living lab aims to enhance cyber resilience for interconnected transportation systems and supply chain operators.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA Temporarily Halts Removals to UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar Citing Operational Risks

The Canada Border Services Agency imposed an Administrative Deferral of Removals (ADR) on March 24 for the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar due to generalized security risks impacting civilian safety. This measure does not apply to individuals inadmissible for criminal or security-related reasons. Removals will resume once government authorities determine conditions are sufficiently stable.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: January Rail Freight Drops 4.2%; Aircraft Passenger Numbers and Property Management Revenues Up

Statistics Canada reported on March 25 that Canadian railways shipped 30.9 million tonnes of freight in January 2026, marking a 4.2% year-over-year decrease. In civil aviation, major carriers transported 7.0 million passengers in January, up 1.1%. The residential and non-residential real estate rental, leasing, and property management sector posted $150.2 billion in revenues for 2024, a 6.1% increase, with continued strong demand for logistics centres. Internal trade in manufactured goods across provincial borders saw a 0.7% increase to $167.4 billion in 2024.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta Introduces Interprovincial Trade Mutual Recognition Act

Bill 21 creates a legal framework to implement the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement on the Sale of Goods, aiming to lower trade barriers and facilitate goods movement across provinces.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

British Columbia Launches Provincewide Marine Tech Testbed Under Integrated Marketplace Program

B.C.’s new marine and coastal testbed enables technology companies to pilot solutions for vessel optimization, coastal resilience, and supply chain tasks as part of its Look West strategy.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba Funds Interprovincial Trade Missions for Businesses

The Manitoba government is investing $500,000 to support Chambers of Commerce trade missions, allowing local businesses to enter new Canadian markets and expand supply chain links.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Federal and Nova Scotia Governments Sign Agreement for Single Project Environmental Review

A new federal-provincial cooperation deal enables major infrastructure and resource projects in Nova Scotia to pursue a single, coordinated environmental review process, reducing regulatory duplication.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Upgrades to Columbia and Kamloops Highway 1 Rest Areas Begin in British Columbia

Vehicle capacity, parking for commercial vehicles, and facility enhancements are scheduled for two rest areas, with over $11 million awarded to Okanagan Aggregates Ltd.; construction started mid-March.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Transport Canada Initiates Fee Review for TCOO Ports

Transport Canada will consult stakeholders regarding upcoming revisions to its fee structure at federally owned and operated ports.

Sources: NA

What We're Reading This Week

• Battle of the rail barons: How a merger is setting the industry on a collision course: Media analysis of merger consequences among major Canadian railway operators.
• Heavy trucks banned as through traffic on Drouillard: Ford City BIA: Coverage on Windsor's restriction of truck through-traffic on key city routes.
• Porter nears launch of new Montreal-area terminal: Feature on airline expansion and regional terminal infrastructure.
• Alberta moves to implement interprovincial pact to ease trade rules on consumer goods: Alberta's pact signals regulatory alignment on consumer goods.
• Trump says he’ll sign order to pay TSA agents as Congress struggles to reach funding deal: Airport labor pay standoff and implications for US air transport.
• Geotab’s 2025 Sustainability and Impact Report Shows Fleets Cutting Fuel Waste, Reducing Idling by up to 30%, and Electrifying as Energy Costs Rise: Fleet management adapts as operating costs rise.
• The Greek shipping tycoon willing to take his chances in the Strait of Hormuz: Interview with a major international tanker operator navigating volatile trade lanes.
• What it feels like to be an air traffic controller responsible for the safety of hundreds of people: Perspective on civil aviation labor and safety demands.

.