April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026

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.

📋 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

• Industry and Technology Committee to Examine Federal EV Policies: The House Committee on Industry and Technology is scheduled to review federal electric vehicle policies, with appearances by the Minister of Industry and auto sector stakeholders, on May 4 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Government Operations and Estimates Committee Reviews Main Estimates for 2026–27: On May 5, the committee will consider Main Estimates for 2026–27, including appropriations for Canada Post Corporation, Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board, and other agencies, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (televised).
• Senate Committee on Transport and Communications to Set Draft Agenda: The Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications will conduct a closed meeting to plan future business on May 6 at 6:45 p.m. in Room B45, Senate of Canada Building.

Federal Government News

Federal Government Launches Initiative to Resolve Air Passenger Complaint Backlog

Minister Steven MacKinnon announced measures to resolve a backlog of nearly 100,000 air passenger protection complaints before the Canadian Transportation Agency. As laid out in the Spring Economic Update 2026, the government will contract a neutral, third-party dispute resolution body to process pending cases. Provision is made to increase transparency by eliminating confidentiality requirements for complainants. Airlines will be obligated to comply swiftly with dispute outcomes, and the Canadian Transportation Agency will gain enhanced enforcement powers, permitting systemic violations of the Air Passenger Protection Regulations to be penalized by fines up to $1 million. Planned legislative amendments and expanded regulatory consultations are slated for the near term as part of the government's commitment to a more efficient air passenger complaint and compensation process.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Coast Guard Deploys First Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel

The Canadian Coast Guard marked the commissioning of the CCGS Donjek, the first of two Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships built at Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. The vessel expands capabilities for icebreaking, fisheries patrol, search and rescue, and operates along both the East Coast and in Arctic waters. Features include modular accommodation areas, a medical facility, and modern communications for multi-mission flexibility. With over $63 billion allocated in fiscal year 2025–26 toward defence and maritime readiness across agencies, the addition of the Donjek reinforces the Coast Guard’s service delivery in remote regions and responds to expanded operational demands on Canada’s coastline.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Volume-Related Composite Price Indices Announced for 2026–2027 Crop Year

The Canadian Transportation Agency set the Volume-Related Composite Price Index (VRCPI) for the 2026–2027 crop year at 1.9864 for Canadian National Railway (CN) and 1.9474 for Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). These represent increases of 0.66% for CN and 0.65% for CPKC over last year. The VRCPI, which is based on labour, fuel, material, and capital input forecasts, will factor into the maximum allowable revenue for regulated western grain movements. The CTA will make Maximum Revenue Entitlement determinations by December 31, 2027. The VRCPI serves as an inflation measure for key railway input expenses.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal and Provincial Governments Advance Hamilton LRT Construction

Ottawa and Ontario celebrated a key milestone in the Hamilton LRT’s construction, with a contract awarded for major civil and utility work to the Hamilton Transit Alliance, led by Aecon. This phase includes bridge work, utility relocations, and infrastructure upgrades along the 14-kilometre route. Federal investment in the project totals up to $1.7 billion, the largest-ever for Hamilton public transit. The project is set to increase capacity and connect key city destinations via the new LRT with links to Hamilton Street Railway and GO Transit, supporting significant increases in daily transit ridership.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA Issues Reminder on Private Boater Reporting Requirements

With the boating season approaching, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminded private boaters and operators of the need to formally report when entering Canadian waters. Rules stipulate reporting obligations vary depending on the itinerary; stopping on Canadian soil, boarding or disembarking people or goods, or interactions with other vessels trigger reporting duties. Vessels with 30 or more passengers must notify CBSA 72 hours in advance and clear at a designated marine site. Fines for non-compliance begin at $1,000. The reminder includes specifics on documentation, restricted goods, and boating and fishing within Canadian waters.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Launches Measures to Expand Skilled Trades through 'Team Canada Strong'

Secretary of State Wayne Long detailed the rollout of Team Canada Strong, a new federal initiative aimed at recruiting, training, and hiring 80,000 to 100,000 Red Seal trades workers over the next five years. Announced in the Spring Economic Update, the program includes $2 billion in apprentice placements, a new Build Canada Apprenticeship Service with up to $10,000 salary support for first-year apprentices, and $331 million to modernize apprenticeship training. The Canadian Armed Forces will receive $250 million for skilled trades capacity. A $5,000 completion bonus for new Red Seal certifications and a $400 weekly top-up during technical training have been introduced. Digitization of certification and expanded union training center capacity are additional components.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Freight Rail Services Price Index: April 2026 Release

Statistics Canada published the Freight Rail Services Price Index for April 2026 (2018=100), providing an updated reference for cost movements in rail freight services. The index assists stakeholders in tracking pricing trends in the Canadian rail freight sector.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Railway Carloadings Reach 29.4 Million Tonnes in February

Statistics Canada reported that Canadian railways transported 29.4 million tonnes of cargo in February 2026, reflecting a 9.8% rise compared to February 2025. The increase was attributed to growth in agricultural shipments, intermodal containers, and cross-border freight.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Couriers and Messengers Services Price Index: March 2026 Data

The Couriers and Messengers Services Price Index for March 2026 (2019=100) is now available. The updated figures offer an indicator for price changes in courier, express, and messenger shipments, supporting pricing and contract assessments in the delivery and logistics sector.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Screened Passenger Traffic Rises at Canadian Airports in March

In March 2026, 4.7 million passengers underwent pre-board security screening at Canada’s eight largest airports, marking a 3.2% increase over the same month a year earlier. This reflects consistent growth in passenger throughput for Canada’s leading air transport hubs.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Aircraft Movements and Passenger Statistics, February 2026

For February 2026, major Canadian airlines moved 6.6 million passengers on both scheduled and charter services, up 1.7% from February 2025. This data signals an expansion in national air traffic volumes, with implications for air carriers, airports, and support services.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Starts Major Civil and Utility Work on Hamilton LRT

Ontario awarded the initial contract for civil and utility work on the Hamilton LRT, including sewer, watermain, and road upgrades, as well as construction planning for the project’s next phases.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Quebec Publishes 2025 Report on Road Safety Coordination

The Concerted Action Table on Road Safety released its first annual report, focusing on collaboration among 24 organizations and establishing working committees on heavy vehicle safety, collision data, and legislative review.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

British Columbia Updates 'Look West' Strategy with $88 Billion in Projects

B.C.'s Look West initiative reports $88 billion in proposed investments and thousands of new jobs over three years, advancing major energy, mining, and infrastructure projects alongside a streamlined permitting process.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba Implements Zero BAC Restriction for Certain Convicted Drivers

Manitoba enacted new rules prohibiting any blood alcohol content for drivers convicted of causing bodily harm or death while impaired, alongside enhanced licence suspension and penalty measures.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

BC Allocates Manufacturing Jobs Fund to Expand Fraser Valley Operations

Nearly $600,000 will be distributed to manufacturers in Surrey and Abbotsford to support equipment purchases, expand local production, and create more than 35 jobs through the Manufacturing Jobs Fund.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Proposed Amendments to Pilot-in-Command Program Open for Consultation

Transport Canada launched a consultation on revisions to the pilot-in-command under supervision (PICUS) program, introducing greater flexibility for simulator instructors and several regulatory clarifications.

Sources: wwwapps.tc.gc.ca

Transport Canada Announces Miscellaneous Aviation Standards Amendments Consultation

A consultation is underway for amendments to the Canadian Aviation Regulations covering minor terminology and alignment issues, including harmonization with ICAO standards.

Sources: wwwapps.tc.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Shippers ‘losing faith’ in CBSA tech systems amid ongoing outages, glitches: Industry stakeholders respond to persistent CBSA system outages affecting trucking and shipping operations.
• Beyond the numbers: Here are the proposed law changes tucked into the spring economic update: CTV News examines legislative changes related to postal operations and airport regulation in the federal economic update.

.