Roadbuilders call on Trudeau to clarify roads investment commitment
Canadians need to hear the federal government will continue to invest in trade corridors and highways, as part of an economic growth strategy for the movement of goods and services to and from markets, the Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association says.
The WCR&HCA added its voice to a chorus of concerned associations calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make a public statement of federal support for roads.
“We ask that you clear the confusion, publicly re-commit unequivocally to strategic investments in nation-building, economic growth-enabling shovel worth infrastructure assets, including the trade gateways and corridors Canada needs to be a globally competitive economy,” the February 22 WCR&HCA letter said.
The letters – including from the CCA and other roadbuilder associations — were triggered by the comments of Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault February 12 that the federal government would not be helping to fund new road infrastructure, although it would help with maintenance. Guilbeault subsequently clarified he meant to say money would not flow for “large” road projects.
The WCR&HCA said Guilbeault’s comments “cannot and should not reflect federal public policy.”
Noting that trade makes up 65% of the national GDP, the letter underscores the necessity of investing strategically in trade corridors, to repair Canada’s damaged reputation here at home and abroad, as a reliable trading partner. A 2019 survey of trade transportation quality by the World Economic Fund ranked Canada 32nd globally (behind Azerbaijan); in 2009, it ranked 10th.
“It is of critical importance to the import and exports sectors of the economy… that, as Prime Minister, you clearly and publicly reiterate to, and assure, Canadians and by extension our global trading partners, that Canada’s signature to free trade agreements also explicitly commits to strategically investing in our capacity and ability to move products to market – if you can’t move it, you can’t sell it.”
The CCA letter, sent February 16, said the lack of investment in trade-enabling infrastructure risks the country’s opportunity to capitalize on trade agreements internationally.
It asked Trudeau to confirm the government: will continue funding new roads and related infrastructure; contribute the necessary infrastructure funding to build trade-enabling and house-enabling infrastructure; and, put forward a regulatory framework to accelerate major infrastructure projects.
The WCR&HCA letter also seeks federal commitment to establishing a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan, for a strategic, long-term investment approach for trade corridors and gateways.
The CCA letter is signed from roadbuilder associations across Canada; the WCR&HCA has signatories from Western Canada associations.
“Canada is very much risking losing its status as a desirable place to invest and with which to trade because it has not given necessary attention to building the trade corridor and gateway network required to reliably, efficiently move goods to global markets,” said Chris Lorenc, President & CEO of the WCR&HCA.
“We have to put aside the past approach of sporadic, “shovel-ready” infrastructure investment programs and build a strategy that selects shovel-worthy projects that hold a defined return on investment, to grow the national economy.”
