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: 2026-04-12 to 2026-04-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• TRAN Committee Reviews Supporting and Modernizing Quebec and Canada’s Ports: The Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities meets April 20 to hear from marine terminal operators, shipping lines, and harbour authorities on port modernization and NAV CANADA/CBSA HR challenges. Session scheduled 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
• SECU Committee to Study CBSA's Role in Port Clearance and H2O Highway Corridor: On April 21, the Public Safety and National Security Committee takes witness testimony on CBSA practices along the H2O Corridor and at ports, from 3:30–5:30 p.m. (Room 415, Wellington Building).
• International Trade Committee to Examine Free Trade within Canada: CIIT meets on April 23 to consider internal trade issues and barriers, with input from academia, the Chamber of Commerce, and industry leaders.
• Fisheries and Oceans Committee Reviews Marine Harvesting Season Dates: On April 20, FOPO holds a session on factors influencing marine harvesting season timing, with industry and regional fishing representatives, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
• FOPO to Hear Evidence on Atlantic Mackerel and Atlantic Herring Fisheries: Fisheries and Oceans resumes testimony on the Atlantic mackerel and herring sectors on April 22, from 4:00–6:00 p.m., focusing on industry perspectives.

Federal Government News

CBSA and CITT Launch Investigations into Imported Chinese Plywood

On April 10, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) launched investigations into alleged dumping and subsidizing of decorative and other non-structural plywood from China, following a complaint from Columbia Forest Products and the Canadian Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has commenced a preliminary injury inquiry—PI-2026-001—under the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) to determine if imports are harming Canadian producers. The CITT expects to issue a preliminary determination by June 9, 2026; concurrently, the CBSA will advance its price and subsidy investigations, with preliminary findings due by July 9. These actions could affect supply chains for marine manufacturing and construction, which utilize plywood and engineered wood products. In 2025, SIMA duties covered $3.3 billion of imports in sectors employing over 43,000 people in Canada.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Canadian Coast Guard Signs Agreement with Norwegian Counterparts on Arctic Training

At the Arctic Coast Guard Forum Principals’ Meeting in Copenhagen on April 16, the Canadian Coast Guard finalized an amended agreement with the Norwegian Coast Guard. The new accord will expand joint efforts in professional development, training, curriculum design, and personnel exchanges between the respective academies and schools. Increased operational cooperation is a response to recent expansions of the Canadian Coast Guard’s security authorities under Bill C-12. Engagement at the Forum addressed Arctic maritime security, personnel readiness, and future collaboration among Arctic states’ coast guards.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment for Business Growth and Supply Chains in Delta and Richmond

The Government of Canada is providing more than $10.5 million to nine companies in BC’s Delta and Richmond regions to improve competitiveness, support local supply chains, and help exporters access new markets. Recipients cover aviation maintenance, steel fabrication for infrastructure, seafood processing, clean technology, manufacturing, and life sciences. Airborne Engines will modernize helicopter engine MRO capacity, while Marcon will create a new bridge inspection and installation division. North Delta Seafoods will scale up its processing lines, and Richply will upgrade its plywood facility, potentially increasing Canadian supply for marine and industrial projects. Other companies will use funding for process automation, digitization, and international sales expansion.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Invests in Quebec's Defence Industrial Ecosystem Including Aerospace and Transport Clusters

On April 13, the Government of Canada announced $4.5 million in non-repayable funding to Aéro Montréal, Propulsion Québec, and STIQ. The funds, administered by CED for Quebec Regions under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative, will help Quebec SMEs integrate into national and international defence supply chains. The support will focus on preparing firms in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and smart transportation for defence contracts. This is part of a larger $64.9 million commitment over three years for Quebec, including links to Budget 2025’s national Defence Industrial Strategy that allocates $6.6 billion over five years to bolster industrial capacity.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Enforcement Actions: CBSA and RCMP Seizures at Ports and Airports

The CBSA reported two significant law enforcement actions this week. Officers at Toronto Pearson International Airport detected and seized seven fraudulent passports concealed in a commercial shipment from Nigeria; one individual faces charges related to possession of forged documents. Separately, a CBSA investigation with the Ottawa Police Service led to the seizure of firearms and prohibited weapons at a residence in Ottawa, resulting in multiple charges for two Ottawa residents relating to smuggling, possession of unauthorized firearms, controlled substances, and forgery. These incidents highlight enhanced screening and enforcement activity at transport terminals.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Federal Parliamentary Secretary to Announce R&D Innovation at Truck World 2026

On April 17, Parliamentary Secretary Karim Bardeesy is scheduled to announce new research and development innovation funding for the automotive sector on behalf of Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, at the Truck World 2026 expo in Mississauga, Ontario. The announcement is expected to discuss R&D programs relevant to advanced trucking and freight technology.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Manufacturing Sales Rise in February 2026

Statistics Canada reported a 3.6% month-over-month increase in manufacturing sales for February 2026. Growth was primarily led by higher volumes in transportation equipment, machinery, and primary metals sectors, all of which influence the supply landscape for marine, rail, and aviation manufacturing.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

International Arrivals Slightly Lower in March 2026

Preliminary StatsCan indicators show that there were 4.9 million international arrivals to Canada by air and automobile in March, a 0.5% decrease from March 2025. This data reflects travel flows that affect air, ground, and border operations across major entry corridors.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Manitoba Premier Leads Business Delegation to Ottawa Targeting Key Trade Infrastructure

Premier Wab Kinew led Manitoba businesses to Ottawa this week to advocate for expansion of CentrePort Canada, modernization of trade corridors, and advancement of the Port of Churchill.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Manitoba and Canada Agree on 'One Project, One Review' for Churchill Plus

Premier Kinew met Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa, resulting in a new federal-provincial agreement to coordinate regulatory reviews for major projects, including developing year-round shipping at the Port of Churchill.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

British Columbia Initiative for Safe Disposal of Dock Materials

Dock owners on BC’s Sunshine Coast will have access to free drop-off events for polystyrene disposal, coordinated with shíshálh Nation and the Ocean Legacy Foundation, under B.C.’s Coastal Marine Strategy.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Nova Scotia Seeks Partner for Inter-Municipal Transit Service

Nova Scotia issued a request for information on operators for rural-urban inter-municipal bus routes connecting communities to Halifax Regional Municipality.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Introduces Expedited 120-Day Approvals Act

The Alberta government tabled Bill 30, which would create a 120-day approval timeline for priority economic infrastructure projects, setting criteria for large-scale investment proposals.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Carney calls for resumption of shipping during Strait of Hormuz talks: Canadian authorities urge renewed marine traffic amid regional strife.
• PM Carney calls for resumption of shipping during Strait of Hormuz talks: Prime Minister addresses the impact of disruptions near key global shipping corridors.
• Labour complaint filed by union representing workers at B.C. Interior ferry service: Union dispute highlights workplace issues affecting ferry transportation in BC.

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