Supply Chain Task Force Recommends Action

Action, collaboration, and transformation are the three overarching themes to improve Canada's supply chain, says a final report from the National Supply Chain Task Force. To realize real results for Canadians, the report recommended a list of actions that include easing port congestion; addressing labour shortages and employee retention; protecting corridors, border crossings, and gateways from disruption; and establishing a supply chain strategy. The task force also suggests establishing a federal supply chain office to unify federal government activities and engaging the U.S. and the provinces and territories to achieve mutual recognition of regulations, policies, and processes. The report says an efficient and resilient transportation supply chain is key to expanding Canada's economic capacity and productivity and will drive long-term growth. Moving forward, the government of Canada will develop a national supply chain strategy, says Omar Alghabra, minister of transport. This strategy will be informed by the recommendations included in the task force's final report. Budget 2022 provided $450 million over five years, starting in 2022-2023, to support supply chain projects through the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF), which will help ease the movement of goods across Canada's transportation networks. This additional funding brings the program's total allocation to more than $4.6 billion over 11 years (2017-2028).