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: 2026-04-05 to 2026-04-11

📋 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

• TRAN Committee: Supporting, Diversifying, and Modernizing Quebec and Canada’s Ports (April 13): On April 13, the House Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee will hear from the National Maritime Group, Railway Association of Canada, Toronto Port Authority, Picton Terminals, and Port of Sydney Development Corporation on port diversification and modernization.
• CIIT Committee: Canada’s Trade with North and West Africa (April 14): The International Trade Committee will review Canada’s trade ties with North and West Africa on April 14, with witnesses from the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union and industry representatives.
• SECU Committee: Canada-United States Border Management (April 14 and 16, in camera): Public Safety and National Security Committee discusses draft reports on Canada-US border management in camera on April 14 and April 16.
• CIIT Committee: Free Trade within Canada (April 16): On April 16, the International Trade Committee examines free trade within Canada, featuring appearances by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Québec, and QSL International Ltd.

Federal Government News

Federal Government Awards Design Contract for Coast Guard Mid-Shore Multi-Mission Vessels

On April 7, 2026, Public Services and Procurement Canada awarded a $9.6 million design contract to Kongsberg Vanguard LP for the Canadian Coast Guard’s Mid-Shore Multi-Mission (MSMM) vessels under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. Ottawa-based Adaptive Marine Solutions Inc., alongside Norwegian partners Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Salt Ship Design, will steer the vessel design process, with industry engagement for construction set to begin later in 2026. The new MSMM vessels will replace aging mid-shore science platforms and take on roles such as hydrographic surveys, search and rescue, navigation assistance, icebreaking, environmental response, conservation, and maritime security. Up to six vessels are planned for eventual construction and will be stationed at various locations nationwide. The procurement is covered by the Canadian Content Policy, requiring at least 80% of contract value to be fulfilled in Canada. The contract forms part of a broader government program to renew federal fleets and generates economic values in the domestic marine sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers Advance Labour Mobility and Trucking Industry Regulation

On April 10, 2026, federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for labour convened in Québec City, led by Quebec's Minister of Labour Jean Boulet and federal Secretary of State (Labour) John Zerucelli. The meeting produced agreement on fast-tracking harmonized occupational health and safety training for the construction sector, including new national curricula for Working at Heights and Mobile Elevating Work Platforms training by January 2027 and consultations on Hoisting, Rigging, Trenching, and Shoring by the same date. A plan was also initiated to develop federal, provincial, and territorial collaboration on addressing worker misclassification in the trucking sector, with a deadline to report progress by fall 2026. Ministers supported further work to enable worker mobility between provinces and committed to ongoing meetings. Progress was also reported toward Canada’s consideration of ratifying ILO C155, the Occupational Safety and Health Convention.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Quebec Sign Bilateral Agreement for Rural Transit Solutions Fund

On April 10, 2026, federal Minister Gregor Robertson and Quebec Minister Jonatan Julien announced the signing of an agreement allocating $6.7 million from the Rural Transit Solutions Fund to support transit infrastructure in 14 Quebec communities. The funds target planning and implementation of rural transit projects tailored to local priorities, with possible investments in fixed routes, on-demand services, and e-bike mobility integration. The agreement is intended to support equitable access to services and enhance transportation options for rural residents.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau Obtains Court Order in Keyera Acquisition Inquiry

On April 8, 2026, the Competition Bureau advanced its review of Keyera Corp’s proposed acquisition of Plains All American Pipeline's Canadian natural gas liquids business by securing a Federal Court order. The order compels Inter Pipeline Ltd. to provide information relevant to potential competition issues in natural gas liquids processing, transport, storage, and marketing around Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The Bureau is focusing on whether the merger may diminish competition or create new barriers in the midstream infrastructure market.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Yarmouth Companies Receive RTRI Funding to Modernize and Expand

On April 8, 2026, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced over $1.2 million in federal funding for Novatec Braids Ltd. and Tri-Star Industries Ltd. in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI). Novatec Braids will acquire new equipment to expand manufacturing, boost quality, and access new market segments with a $900,000 investment. Tri-Star Industries will use $375,000 for facility modernization and technology upgrades. The initiatives target enhanced supply chain performance, improved productivity, stronger market reach, and resilience in shifting international trade conditions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Nunavik Storage Expansion Project Boosts Supply Chain Resilience

On April 7, 2026, Indigenous Services Canada reported the completion of a major warehouse expansion project for the Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau Québec (FCNQ), funded with almost $1 million in federal support. The new facility on the Island of Montréal adds 1,580 m² of refrigerated space, 6,500 m² for general warehousing, and 1,670 m² of office space. These upgrades improve FCNQ’s supply and logistics reach for 14 Inuit member cooperatives in Nunavik, enabling larger bulk purchases, better price stability, and reduced risk of supply outages caused by transportation disruptions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta Launches Canadian Trucking Regulations Hub to Simplify Interstate Trucking

Alberta’s government introduced the Canadian Trucking Regulations Hub, a digital tool consolidating provincial and territorial trucking regulations and safety requirements, with maintenance set to transfer to the CCMTA in fall 2026.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

B.C. Backs Marine Innovation with Early-Stage Technology Funding

British Columbia awarded nearly $3.5 million for pilot demonstrations in marine tech, including support for Drop Marine’s workboat control system and MarineLabs’ fog detection platform, targeting improved vessel operation and maritime safety.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Critical Testing Phase Begins for Northlander Rail Service in Northern Ontario

Ontario confirmed that the Northlander passenger rail service commenced comprehensive testing along the Timmins–Toronto corridor in preparation for a relaunch, with expanded fare and service details announced.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Major Highway 11 Interchange Construction Underway in Fraser Valley

B.C. started major construction on the Highway 11 Interchange Project, part of a $2.65 billion program to upgrade Highway 1 and improve goods movement, safety, and regional connectivity.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

CBSA Launches Consultation on Administrative Monetary Penalty System Review

The Canada Border Services Agency is seeking input from industry regarding the findings and proposed recommendations outlined in its Administrative Monetary Penalty System Review.

Sources: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Shippers weigh unusual routes amid persistently high air cargo rates, ocean gridlock: Canadian shippers adapt operations as air freight rates remain elevated and ocean transport faces disruptions.

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