Saskatchewan’s top exporters could soon see new federal legislation to ease Canada’s transition FREIGHT concerns.
Government House Leader and Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon announced his upgrade plans to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce on Friday.
“We’re going to get fired up because some people believe that every single rule that’s ever been passed is sacrosanct and if we take it away, then we’re hurting something else. That’s not true. We can do better,” MacKinnon said.
Interprovincial shipping gained attention in November with one of the world’s largest potash producers. Nutrien, announcing plans for an export terminal in Washington.
“I made no secret at the time and I haven’t changed my mind. I’m not a big fan of Nutrien’s decision. This is a product that was made in Saskatchewan, by Saskatchewanians and should be exported from Canada by Canadians,” MacKinnon said.
“And so we’re continuing to hope that they changed their minds on that. The only thing it’s done is make us focus on the capacities, the capacity constraints, the logistical constraints that may exist in Canada.”
Several other Saskatchewan companies have requested necessary transportation improvements for transportation.
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“That means strong infrastructure, resilient supply chains, efficient transportation networks, labor stability that ensures our products, Canadian products, can reliably reach markets around the world,” said Canpotex Ltd. president and CEO Gordon McKenzie.
“Over the past several years, supply chain disruptions and labor instability in Canada’s rail and port networks have highlighted these issues.”
McKenzie says seeking the security of having Canadian and US trade routes is a business decision.
“To make sure we’re reliable to our customer, it’s important to have options, and that’s where the US has come in to help with some of our volume,” McKenzie said.
He worries that it will continue to rely on the Port of Vancouver to export 70 percent of the company’s volume and its long-term operational difficulties.
“If something were to happen there, it would be a disaster, and that’s where our focus is,” McKenzie said.
“It’s an increasingly competitive and uncertain world. Customers need to know Canada can deliver.”
MacKinnon says he wants to change the minds of exporters who head south for trade routes.
He was referring to the end of an ongoing review process that has lasted more than a decade for what he calls Vancouver’s prairie port.
“Bokoria has blocked our nation-building infrastructure, leaving investment on the table,” MacKinnon said.
He says in the coming weeks legislation will come to the federal government to change transportation laws, including the Canada Labor Code and the introduction of Supply Chain Corridors.
MacKinnon has also announced $5 billion over seven years toward the Trade Diversification Corridor Fund and another billion for the Arctic Infrastructure Fund.
“Both of these will have positive impacts right here in Saskatchewan. This will allow us to build and modernize the transportation infrastructure that enables trade across the country, including the port of call, which is the Port of Vancouver,” MacKinnon said.
Saskatchewan Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said in a statement that he welcomes continued efforts to improve projects that enable trade across Canada.
“As a major exporting province, timely project approvals and efficient transportation corridors are critical to strengthening Canada’s competitiveness, supporting investment and ensuring Saskatchewan’s products reach global markets efficiently,” said Kaeding.
After Nutrien’s announcement there have been no announcements of MacKinnon’s progress to reverse Nutrien’s decision.
“We both left with some homework to do, and I intend to check that homework consistently,” MacKinnon said.
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