Government of Canada Invests to Determine the Feasibility of Extending a Dolbeau-Mistassini Railway to Bring Goods to the World Market

BAIE-COMEAU, QC, August 28, 2019 / CNW / – The quality of Canada's transportation infrastructure Canada and the effectiveness of our trade corridors are key to the success of Canadian companies in the global marketplace. The government of Canada invests in infrastructure projects that create quality jobs for the middle class and support economic growth.

Today, the Honorable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced a major new investment of $ 7.4 million to determine the feasibility of extending the existing railway to Dolbeau-Mistassini to the rail and sea terminal of Baie-Comeau.

This extension would provide Canadian companies with access to a deep sea port to overseas markets for the export of agri-food products, fertilizers, forest products, certain refined hydrocarbons and chemicals, among others. The initial phase of the project is for the transportation of bulk solid and liquid cargo and general cargo for an estimated 800 cars per day.

This investment will have significant economic benefits for Canadians and create approximately 105 direct and indirect jobs during the study.

The government of Canada supports the infrastructure projects that contribute most to the continued success of the Canada in terms of international trade. Trade diversification is at the heart of the National Corridor Fund, which funds projects that:

• improve the performance of the transmission system in order to increase the value and volume of goods exported from the Canada to overseas markets;
• generate new overseas trade through investment.

Quote

"Our Government is investing in the Canadian economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors. We support projects that will ensure the efficient movement of goods to markets and people to their destinations, stimulate economic growth, create quality jobs for the middle class, and ensure Canada remain competitive and effective. "

The Honorable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

The facts in brief

• An efficient and reliable transportation system is essential to the economic growth of the Canada. The government of Canadathrough the National Corridor Fund, makes investments that will support the flow of goods to international markets. Although the United States remains the largest trading partner of the United States, Canada with $ 741.4 billion in trade ($ 437.6 billion in exports and $ 303.8 billion in imports) in 2018, trade with international markets is increasing. From 2015 to 2018, trade with Asia (excluding the Middle East) increased by 18.9% to $ 199.2 billion and those with the European Union increased by 19% since 2015 to reach 118.1 billion dollars in 2018.
• The government of Canada makes investments that help Canadian exporters expand their presence in new markets and take advantage of new opportunities created by the government's trade agreements over the past three years. By investing in highly export-oriented industries, the government is committed to creating high-paying jobs and strengthening the Canadian economy.
• By means of the plan Invest in the Canada, the government of Canada invests more than $ 180 billion over 12 years in transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation infrastructure, and rural and northern infrastructure projects.

Related Links

SOURCE Transport Canada
For further information: Delphine Denis, Media Relations Manager, Office of the Honorable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-991-0700, [email protected]; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, [email protected], 613-993-0055

Related Links

http://www.tc.gc.ca/