Ottawa, ON – Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister
of Transport and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, delivered a
compelling address to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce,
emphasizing the urgency of strengthening a cohesive Canada-U.S.
Supply Chain and Logistics Network to bolster bilateral economic
resilience, enhance trade performance, and elevate global
competitiveness.
Speaking to an audience of business leaders, policy experts, and
industry stakeholders, Badawey underscored the critical importance of
modern, integrated supply chains in driving economic growth, fostering
robust trade partnerships, and advancing Canada’s and the United
States’ shared standing in the global marketplace.
“Our ability to meet increasing demands, secure supply chain reliability,
and seize emerging trade opportunities depends on a united
commitment to strengthening comprehensive networks,” said Badawey.
“These networks must not only tackle current challenges and
accommodate future growth but also prioritize collaboration with our
most important trading partner, the United States, to optimize
crossborder trade and unlock our collective potential.”
Key highlights of Badawey’s address included:
*Binational Collaboration: Deepening Canada-U.S.
partnerships to enhance trade corridors, especially within
the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence economic region.
*Strengthened Regional Integration: Enhance cross-border
coordination and infrastructure planning, which will
address logistical challenges and improve the efficiency of
supply chains across North America
*Resilience and Competitiveness: A bilateral approach will strengthen the
resilience of supply chains by diversifying sources, reducing bottlenecks, and
enhancing competitiveness against global market pressures.
*Joint Capital Investments: Encourage joint investments in transportation,
technology, and workforce development, ensuring that individual regions remain
competitive in the global economy.
*Environmental and Trade Standards: Harmonize environmental and labour
standards within supply chains, aligning with USMCA provisions to foster
sustainable trade practices.
*Future-Proofing Against Disruptions: Given lessons from recent global supply
chain disruptions, focus on creating contingency plans and adaptable
frameworks, ensuring both countries can respond quickly to unforeseen
challenges.
Badawey emphasized that a robust bilateral supply chain network would enable both
countries to tackle bottlenecks, harmonize regulatory standards, and fully harness the
economic potential of integrated trade corridors.
“Canada-U.S. collaboration isn’t just advantageous—it’s vital to realizing the full
potential of our economies,” said Badawey. “By aligning our efforts, we can confront
shared challenges, drive innovation, and achieve mutual success in an increasingly
competitive global environment.”
Badawey cited the critical role of the Niagara Region and the Ports Niagara Trade
Corridor as a vital gateway for trade between Canada and the United States. The
region’s strategic position at the nexus of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence economic zone
makes it an essential hub for multimodal transportation, offering unique opportunities
for enhancing connectivity and trade flows.
“The Niagara Ports Trade Corridor exemplifies the best of what Canada and the United
States can achieve together—an integrated system that facilitates economic growth
while fostering innovation and sustainability,” Badawey added. “By continuing to invest
in infrastructure and optimizing Niagara’s strategically located Trade Corridor, we
unlock tremendous benefits for our local communities and economies on both sides of
the border.”
He also stressed the critical role of public-private partnerships in addressing gaps and
delivering tangible benefits to businesses and communities.
“By working together—across sectors, borders, and jurisdictions—we can position
Canada and the U.S. as global leaders in supply chain efficiency and innovation,”
Badawey concluded. “Businesses and communities on both sides of the border expect
no less, and I am fully committed to advancing this shared vision. The time to act is
now.”
The address reflects months of consultations with industry leaders, government
partners, and organizations, underscoring Badawey’s commitment to a unified strategy
that ensures Canada remains a premier destination for trade and investment.
Looking ahead, Badawey announced plans to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with
members of Congress and continue discussions on strengthening bilateral supply chain
and logistics networks, further reinforcing the critical partnership between Canada and
the United States.