The Urgent Need to Invest in the Safety and Logistical Resilience of the Canadian Arctic.
Open Letter by
Mr. Daniel Dagenais, President and CEO, NEAS Group
Mr. David Rivest, President and CEO, Desgagnés Transarctik Inc.
Mr. Saul Polo, Executive Director, St. Lawrence Shipoperators
The evolving supply needs of northern communities, the increasing natural resource extraction activities, the growing presence of foreign shipowners whose risk assessments related to the Northwest Passage may differ, and the progressive retreat of sea ice all highlight the need for a strategic reassessment of Canada’s Arctic maritime logistics. Faced with this new reality, the leaders of the St. Lawrence Shipoperators, NEAS Group, and Desgagnés Transarctik are calling on federal and provincial decision-makers to take urgent action to strengthen the safety, economic resilience, and sustainable development of the Canadian Arctic.
One of the most pressing priorities is the immediate modernization and securing of supply corridors. To ensure the reliability of port calls and reduce navigation risks in Arctic waters, rapid investments are required in innovative technologies, such as environmental and ice data forecasting, high-resolution bathymetry, and infrastructure upgrades. Beyond improving predictability and operational safety, these investments will enhance economic opportunities by increasing productivity and reducing fuel emissions.
Canadian sovereignty also depends on more substantial support for local development to ensure the “everyday logistics” essential for northern life. Without robust supply chains, there can be no safety, nor can the vital goods and services expected by residents and businesses be reliably delivered. Investing in northern housing and local training programs means faster delivery of search-and-rescue bases, improved healthcare, and meaningful employment opportunities for young people.
The environmental challenges we face demand concrete measures, including fleet renewal toward cleaner fuels, stricter emissions control, and coordinated protocols with Inuit communities to ensure environmental safety, particularly in key maritime and port operation zones.
In the face of emerging risks, climate change, ice unpredictability, growing interest in the Northwest Passage, and cyber threats, only close cooperation between shipowners, public authorities, and insurers will reassure investors and ensure the sector’s sustainable growth. We are calling for the swift integration of Arctic port infrastructure projects into Canada’s Major Projects program, the protection of Arctic cabotage, the annual publication of logistics indicators, and measures to assess the social impacts of operations.
Our appeal is simple: the Arctic holds undeniable economic and strategic importance that deserves more than promises. It is time to invest in tangible solutions and place maritime resilience at the heart of national policy. Only through collaboration can we ensure the safety, development, and prosperity of the Arctic.
The leading stakeholders in Arctic shipping gathered on October 10 at Château Frontenac for a breakfast conference on Commercial Navigation in the Arctic, attended by Steeve Lavoie, Member of Parliament for Beauport–Limoilou, representing the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, and Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert.
Summit Meeting of Transportation Industry Leaders from the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes: An Urgent Call to Action to Enhance the Waterway’s Contributions
The following release was distributed on behalf of the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, St. Lawrence Shipoperators’ Association, Ontario Marine Council, St. Lawrence Economic Development Council, Port of Montreal, CargoM, and Cirano.
The St. Lawrence–Great Lakes Waterway is the logistical and industrial backbone of North America, connecting hundreds of millions of consumers, the most dynamic manufacturing hubs, and international markets. As a vital trade artery between Canada and the United States, it is essential for economic security and the resilience of our continent.
In this context, nearly a hundred leaders from the St. Lawrence–Great Lakes Waterway, including CEOs of ports, shipping operators, railway companies, and the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as the three co-chairs of the event—The Honourable Jean Charest, The Honourable Lisa Raitt, and Mr. Adam Tindall-Schlicht—gathered on Monday, September 29, 2025 at the Port of Montreal. Their objective: to chart the way forward to strengthen this vital waterway.
The conclusions are clear. It is imperative to:
Invest in infrastructure;
Accelerate the energy transition;
Prepare tomorrow’s workforce;
And strengthen the maritime and shipbuilding industry.
The leaders have decided to unite their voices to make a clear call to governments to:
Ensure massive and sustained strategic investments;
Establish flexible, modern and optimized policy and regulatory frameworks;
Actively support workforce development;
And strengthen cross-border governance of the corridor.
To formalize these demands, a joint declaration will be presented at the Leadership Summit of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, taking place in Quebec City from October 4 to 6.
“When governments think about the maritime industry, their first instinct is to look west and north, but we must not forget that the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes industry is just as essential to the future of our region and North America. This summit in Montreal was extremely fruitful. It allowed us to set clear priorities. These priorities will enable us to speak with one voice in the years to come to advance the industry’s priorities. Monday’s meeting also served to reaffirm our commitment to a tariff-free trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico,” stated a coalition, which includes the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council, the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Ontario Marine Council, the St. Lawrence Shipoperators’ Association and CargoM.
Event Organizing Committee
The organizing committee is composed of the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council, the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Ontario Marine Council, the St. Lawrence Shipoperators’ Association, CargoM, the Port of Montreal and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.
Media Contact
Valérie Glazer
Organizer Member of the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes Leadership Roundtable
Building the Strongest Economy in the G7 Requires CBSA Support
Prime Minister Carney
Minister Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade;
Minister Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety,
MP Dan Albas,
MP Claude Debellefeuille,
Parliamentary Secretary Mike Kelloway
Dear Ministers,
As a coalition of marine industry stakeholders, we write to express our strong support for the recent Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative letter on the provision of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) clearance services on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence (GLSL), which are emblematic of national concerns.We applaud the federal government’s renewed commitment to expanding and diversifying Canada’s global trade. This requires a fresh approach to trade infrastructure, along with recognition of the dual mandate of the CBSA and its critical role in building a more resilient, diversified, and inclusive national economy. CBSA bears a critical responsibility to ensure the integrity of Canada’s borders; safeguarding the safety of Canadians and our trading partners. Similarly important is the agency’s role in trade facilitation, which is essential to unlocking Canada’s full economic potential, especially in the context of global instability and shifting supply chains. Yet, the limited clearance capacity and other services at ports along the St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes and other underserved regions are impediments to growth and competitiveness.
Greater use of marine transport could also alleviate rail and road congestion and reduce carbon emissions, since vessels emit roughly 80-90% less CO₂ per tonne-kilometre than heavy trucks. The Liberal platform’s commitment to increasing CBSA resources presents a timely opportunity to address this gap, but a focus on border security alone risks neglect in CBSA’s ability to support new trade opportunities. This is why we support the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative call to ensure CBSA is resourced and empowered not only to secure borders but also to facilitate trade. By more nimbly responding to emerging trade opportunities, Canada can reduce commercial processing times, attract international investment, and strengthen trade corridors. This is not only a matter of economic efficiency; it is a matter of national resilience.Resourcing CBSA sufficiently to support expanding service and clearance capacity at new and existing sites aligns directly with the goals of a “Canada Strong” economy. It supports interprovincial fluidity and facilitates trade diversification with markets around the world. It also ensures that CBSA is empowered to fulfill both its enforcement and facilitation roles.
We strongly support federal investment in additional CBSA resources. While border security is essential, these resources should also recognize the transformative role of both sea and inland marine ports in growing and diversifying Canada’s global trade. Building a more connected and competitive Canada depends on it. Our coalition stands ready to meet with you to explore ways to advance this effort and help ensure Canada’s trade infrastructure reflects the strength and diversity of its regions.Respectfully,Coalition of Marine Stakeholders
Saul Polo
Executive Director, Saint-Lawrence Ship Operators / Directeur Général, Armateurs du Saint-Laurent
Maguessa Morel-Laforce
Executive Director, Ontario Marine Counil / Directeur Général, Conseil maritime de l’Ontario
Mathieu St-Pierre
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer / Président-directeur général, SODES
Wes Newton
Chair, Chamber of Marine Commerce / Président de la Chambre de commerce maritime
Daniel-Robert Gooch
President and CEO, Association of Canadian Port Authorities / Président et chef de la direction, Association des administrations portuaires canadiennes
Chris Hall
CEO, Shipping Federation of Canada / PDG, Fédération maritime du Canada
St. Lawrence Shipowners Urge the Canadian Government to Act Against New Maritime Trade Barriers Imposed by the Trump Administration
Québec, April 10, 2025 – The St. Lawrence Shipowners’ Association (SLS) is expressing serious concern following the executive order signed yesterday by President Donald J. Trump, titled “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance.” The order directly threatens the viability of regional maritime trade between Canada and the United States by potentially imposing punitive fees on vessels essential to North American supply chains.
“This is worse than tariffs: these new measures could increase shipping costs by 300 to 1,000%, making regional trade uncompetitive and threatening thousands of jobs on both sides of the border,” said Guillaum Dubreuil, Chair of SLS’s Board of Directors. “It’s a direct attack that will lead to job losses and higher prices for goods on both sides of the border.”
The new port charges being considered are intended to target China’s shipbuilding industry by applying tariffs to any vessel built in China that docks at a U.S. port. However, nearly 45% of Canada’s merchant fleet was built in China at a time when it was the only economically viable option. These vessels are now essential for transporting bulk cargo, construction materials, road salt, grain, and industrial goods throughout the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes, and the Atlantic coast.
By indiscriminately targeting all vessels built in China — even those operating exclusively within a few hundred nautical miles as part of vital regional trade — the order risks penalizing allies rather than competitors.
SLS is issuing an urgent call to action to protect regional trade and is asking the Government of Canada to act immediately and firmly to demand a formal exemption for all vessels operating within a 2,000-nautical-mile radius, as proposed in the official submissions made by SLS to the USTR.
“At the height of the shipping season, this measure could delay the delivery of essential materials and increase costs for consumers and industries. As we saw during the St. Lawrence Seaway strike, it’s the public who will feel the most immediate consequences,” said Saul Polo, Executive Director of SLS.
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About the St. Lawrence Shipowners’ Association
The St. Lawrence Shipowners’ Association represents more than 130 Canadian vessels operating on the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes, the Atlantic, and the Arctic. Together, they facilitate more than 120 billion USD in annual trade and support thousands of jobs in both countries. Regional maritime transport is a quiet but crucial pillar of the North American economy.
Media Contact:
Saul Polo
Executive Director
St. Lawrence Shipowners’ Association
saul.polo@asl-sls.org
418 648-4378
www.armateurs-du-st-laurent.org
Enhancing Border Security and Trade Facilitation: A Critical Opportunity for Canada
Dear Minister McGuinty,
Canada’s border security and trade infrastructure face urgent challenges. At present The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) only operates five marine container examination facilities in Canada: Halifax, Saint John, Montréal, Prince Rupert and Vancouver. This is causing strained ports of entry and pressures on trade relationships, especially when you consider most provinces and that key trading hubs along the Great Lakes-St Lawrence Corridor, including the Greater Toronto Area, are without such facilities.
Security and trade are equally vital to Canada’s prosperity. Maintaining border security must not undermine efficient and resilient supply chains. CBSA has an opportunity to modernize its operations for today’s operational reality. While it has traditionally focused on security, CBSA must now prioritize trade facilitation as well. Both goals can and must coexist.
This shift is critical as Canadians grapple with inflation and economic uncertainty. Businesses and transportation leaders have proposed several practical and action-ready solutions, including inland terminals to augment and relieve pressure on first ports of arrival. CBSA has resisted advancing trade priorities in the past, but now is the time to change. A clear mandate and decisive action are needed to implement these forward-thinking proposals.
Other government agencies have shown how to balance security and efficiency. Transport Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund and Green Shipping Corridor Fund strengthen supply chains while advancing sustainability. The new National Supply Chain Office reflects the government’s commitment to coordinated solutions. CBSA must step into this effort as a key partner, securing borders while also streamlining trade.
The Canada-U.S. trade relationship depends on efficient borders. The Great Lakes St. Lawrence region alone accounts for over 50% of bilateral trade and boasts a combined GDP of US$6 trillion. Secure, functional borders in this region drive economic growth for both countries.
CBSA’s leadership is essential. We urge the Agency to seize this opportunity to enhance border operations, protect security, and facilitate trade. Canadian businesses and supply chain partners are ready to collaborate to build resilient and sustainable trade networks.
Sincerely,
Bruce Burrows
Chief Executive Officer
Chamber of Marine Commerce
Chris Hall
Chief Executive Officer
Shipping Federation of Canada
Saul Polo
Executive Director
Saint-Lawrence Ship Operators
Maguessa Morel-Laforce
Executive Director
Ontario Marine Council
Mathieu St-Pierre
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
St.Lawrence Economic Development Council
CC: MP Matt Jeneroux, MP Ryan Williams, MP Phil Lawrence, MP Claude DeBellefeuille, MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval