As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1—Develop climate contingency plan

That the Government of Canada work with other levels of government, Indigenous communities and the private sector to anticipate and design contingencies in the event that future climate-related emergencies—such as extreme heat, forest fires, flooding and melting permafrost—disrupt the Canadian supply chain.

Recommendation 2—Immigration stream

That the Government of Canada work with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Minister of Labour, other levels of government, labour organizations and the private sector to design an immigration stream specifically aimed at filling in labour gaps in the transportation sector such as truck drivers, pilots, mariners, skilled technicians, etc. and to encourage the entry into the workforce of traditionally under-represented groups in certain jobs.

Recommendation 3—Transportation training programs

That Transport Canada work with provinces and territories, as well as Employment and Social Development Canada, the Minister of Labour, the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, other levels of government, the private sector and labour organizations to deliver programs (such as the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program) to help fill in current and anticipated labour shortages in the transportation sector, including commercial drivers which would directly fund individuals, as opposed to businesses; and to encourage the entry into the workforce of traditionally under-represented groups in certain sectors.

Recommendation 4—Long-term agreements

That the Government of Canada continue to encourage labour groups and important transport employers such as the rail operators and marine ports to reach long-term collective-bargaining agreements in order to avoid costly labour disruptions and ensure greater predictability for shippers.

Recommendation 5—Corridor legislation

That the Government of Canada, with respect to federally-regulated jurisdictions, consider legislation to designate the operation of key supply chain corridors as an essential service and strengthen penalties for any individual or groups who illegally impede movement on these corridors; while preserving the rights of Canadians to protest in a lawful and peaceful manner.

Recommendation 6—Ferry sector labour shortage

That the Government of Canada seek to address labour shortages in the ferry sector and the broader marine sector by expediting the process for recognizing internationally trained mariners and working towards recognizing international mariner officer and engineering licenses and certifications.

Recommendation 7—National supply chain strategy

That the Government of Canada establish a long-term Supply Chain Strategy that takes into consideration the current and anticipated needs of Canadian shippers, and that such a strategy be aligned with a National Trade Strategy as well as with existing provincial and territorial strategies.

Recommendation 8—Supply chain Commissioner

That the Government of Canada establish a Supply Chain Commissioner reporting to the Minister of Transport with a mandate to recommend actions to improve supply chain efficiency, safety and reliability, in agreement with provinces and territories.

Recommendation 9—National anchorage strategy

That the Government of Canada develop a national anchorage strategy to help manage surge capacity on the water, which is essential to ensure that the appropriate number and size of anchorages are available in less impacted areas to support Canada’s trade ambition and periodic supply chain disruptions.

Recommendation 10—Consultation Group

That the Government of Canada establish a permanent consultative group among a cross section of key supply chain actors similar to the ad hoc group put together during the floods in British Columbia.

Recommendation 11—Respond to Industry Strategy Council recommendations

That the Government of Canada undertake to follow up on the implementation of recommendations from Industry Strategy Council’s report entitled Restart, recover, and reimagine prosperity for all Canadians and to report its findings to the House of Commons.

Recommendation 12—Data sharing and transparency

That the Government of Canada consider new legislation, regulations and policies to require greater data sharing and transparency by key supply chain actors in order to encourage improved efficiency; with an emphasis on collecting and sharing data which is reliable, accurate and recurrent and which encourages greater cooperation and efficiency between supply chain actors.

Recommendation 13—Regulatory hurdles and digital platform

That the Government of Canada study all aspects of the transportation system to identify and reduce regulatory hurdles that unnecessarily slow down the transportation of goods and people; and consider creating one common digital technology platform to move and clear all goods.

Recommendation 14—Cybersecurity

That the Government of Canada’s cybersecurity strategy include a focus on the supply chain and critical transportation infrastructure (such as airport, marine ports and rail); and that it include an obligation for companies under federal jurisdiction to report any major cyberattack.

Recommendation 15—Harmonization of trade corridor capital investments

That the Government of Canada seek to harmonize multi-modal trade corridor capital investments with compatible initiatives in the United States.

Recommendation 16—Canada-United States bilateral dialogue

That Government of Canada officials continue their dialogue with United States counterparts to oppose “Buy America” policies, promote a North American procurement framework, and ensure bi-national continuity with respect to the Merchant Marine Act (Jones Act).

Recommendation 17—Trans-border regulatory exemptions

That the Government of Canada work with the United States to develop better real-time responses to urgent trans-border regulatory exemption requests in the event of future crises.

Recommendation 18—National Trade Corridors Fund

That the Government of Canada increase the funding for and make permanent the National Trade Corridors Fund.

Recommendation 19—Improve agri-food supply chains

That the Government of Canada ensure that funding for projects to improve the fluidity of supply chains consider the enhancement of perishable goods chain infrastructure, and, more broadly, the specific needs of agri-food supply chains.

Recommendation 20—Inclusive infrastructure funding

That the Government of Canada consider ensuring that all projects that combine the transportation of goods and passengers be eligible for infrastructure, public transit and green funding, including ferry services.

Recommendation 21—Multi-modal trade corridors

That the Government of Canada expedite strategic infrastructure investments in multi-modal trade corridors, including maintaining asset management as well as establishing and investing in multi-modal trade corridor route redundancy.

Recommendation 22—Multi-modal transportation corridors

That the Government of Canada identify transportation corridors—such as the St-Lawrence Seaway and the Port of Prince Rupert—and emerging, underused and international ports—such as those in Atlantic Canada or Churchill, Manitoba—that could be used to a greater extent to provide redundancy in the event of disruptions in other parts of Canada’s supply chain; and help fund infrastructure improvements that would allow these ports and corridors to reach their full potential.

Recommendation 23—Great Lakes-St. Lawrence strategy

That the Government of Canada, in consideration of Canada’s ratified trade agreements, promote and invest in the strategic economic potential of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, including prioritizing disciplined asset management along this trade corridor.

Recommendation 24—Business automation

That the Government of Canada implement financial measures to support the automation of Canadian and Quebec businesses.

Recommendation 25—Enhance Canada Border Services Agency Capacity

That the Government of Canada work with Public Safety Canada to enhance Canada Border Services Agency capacity during surge periods to eliminate delays.

Recommendation 26—Review regulatory processes for containers

That the Government of Canada should rapidly review regulatory processes to facilitate the movement of containers through terminals that are not currently managing containers and create additional surge capacity.

Recommendation 27—Smart ports

That the Government of Canada promote and invest in integrated distribution and logistics data and digital capacities for Canadian ports.

Recommendation 28—Port enhancements

That the Government of Canada take into consideration not just increased terminal capacity but enhanced logistics and transloading capabilities at our ports.

Recommendation 29—Port efficiency

That the Government of Canada work with other levels of government, the private sector and labour groups to encourage the appropriate application of emerging technology in order to improve port efficiency.

Recommendation 30—Port optimization

That the Government of Canada optimize ports to encourage greater efficiency and safety; better data sharing; greater involvement by Indigenous communities and surrounding communities.

Recommendation 31—Access to capital

That the Government of Canada consider changes to regulatory framework of port authorities to facilitate greater access to capital.

Recommendation 32—Short-sea shipping opportunities

That the Government of Canada develop additional surge capacity through greater use of short-sea shipping as a compliment to road and rail transportation, in particular in the movement of containers along the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway.

Based on the evidence heard during this study, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities reiterates the following recommendations from its two earlier reports, the Interim Report on Establishing a Canadian Transportation and Logistics Strategy, and Establishing a Canadian Transportation and Logistics Strategy: Part 2.

Recommendation 33—Climate change

That Transport Canada, in cooperation with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, continue to research the impacts of climate change on transportation infrastructure and the effects of increased marine traffic on coastal ecosystems.

Recommendation 34—National Trade Corridors Strategy

That the Government of Canada, in the context of the development of a National Trade Corridors Strategy, encourage enhanced dialogue with provinces and territories, Indigenous communities, businesses, government agencies and international economic partners with the goals of strengthening strategic local, national and international trade corridors and ensuring long-term investments in needed infrastructure.

Recommendation 35—National Trade Corridors Strategy and carbon footprint reduction

That the Government of Canada ensure that the development of a National Trade Corridors Strategy is consistent with the objective of reducing the carbon footprint of the transport sector and increasing the use of renewable energies.

Recommendation 36—Supply chain visibility initiatives

That Transport Canada encourage the introduction of supply chain visibility initiatives, such as the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Supply Chain Visibility Project.

Recommendation 37—Funding options for short-line railways

That the Government of Canada review its funding options for short-line rail operators in order to ensure that their networks are in good repair and to enable proper capital planning by them.

Recommendation 38—Funding short-sea shipping infrastructure

That the Government of Canada give consideration to funding the development of dedicated short distance sea shipping infrastructures.

Recommendation 39—Regulatory harmonization

That the Government of Canada work towards the increased harmonization of policies and regulations on freight transportation between both Canada and the United States, and across the country through consultation with provinces, territories and municipalities. In particular, harmonization should occur in relation to ballast water, capital infrastructure investments, the Great Lakes, and railway, air and road transport.

Recommendation 40—Port infrastructure

That the Government of Canada support the proactive planning and timely development of major port infrastructure projects that would support viable future trade opportunities, including international ports.

Recommendation 41—Increased use of the St. Lawrence Seaway

That the Government of Canada cooperate with all stakeholders—including the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, ports, marine operators and businesses, as well as provinces, territories and municipalities—to explore ways to increase year-round use of the St. Lawrence Seaway to transport goods within central Canada. As well, the Government of Canada should consider such issues as icebreaking capabilities, piloting fees, handling fees at terminals and docking fees.

Recommendation 42—Optimization of land ties

That the Government of Canada work with its provincial and municipal counterparts to optimize ties between roads and rail networks with a view to ensuring that such ties are the easiest and most efficient means of getting cargo into and out of a port.

Recommendation 43—West Coast land use planning

That the Government of Canada encourage greater dialogue among stakeholders involved in supply chains on Canada’s West Coast supply. Their dialogue should focus on the development of a better balance among land use requirements, the demand for local transportation and industries’ freight requirements.