Canadian Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Chrystia Freeland on Sept. 2 hosted the “Made in Canada: Ferries and Rail Summit” in Hamilton, Ontario, which Transport Canada said would help the country’s ferry services, railways, and steel and aluminum industries “remain strong and resilient.”
Transport Canada on Aug. 28 announced the Summit convening key industry leaders, suppliers, and governments “to discuss how, by working together, Canada’s rail and ferry industries will use Canadian steel and aluminum to build.” It said discussions would address future needs for ferry and rail projects, capacity constraints, and barriers to building in Canada, as well as actions governments could take to support industry.
Prioritizing the use of Canadian steel and aluminum “will help build more resilient supply chains and create new, long-term jobs,” according to Transport Canada. Additionally, this “focus on domestic production ensures that our investments in critical transportation infrastructure—like trains and ferries—directly benefit the people and businesses that form the backbone of our economy,” the government agency noted. “At a time when these industries are facing intense pressure from tariffs, the Summit helps foster a more self-sufficient and stronger industrial base in Canada.”
“Canada’s ferry services, railways, and steel and aluminum industries are engines of a resilient, growing economy,” Freeland said in a statement to close the Summit. “They connect communities, create well-paying jobs, and form the foundation of the critical infrastructure that Canadians rely on every day.
“Today’s [Sept. 2] Summit brought together leaders from across our rail, marine, steel, and aluminum sectors, alongside provincial, territorial, and federal partners. By working together, we will build more of what Canada needs, right here at home.
“We had frank and focused discussions about how to use more Canadian steel and aluminum in ferry and rail construction, how to overcome barriers to building in Canada, and what targeted actions governments can take to support industry and build a reliable domestic market.
“This kind of collaboration helps foster a more self-sufficient and stronger industrial base, building on the momentum of the One Canadian Economy Act, which dismantled interprovincial trade barriers and is already fast-tracking the infrastructure we need.
“We are building a future where Canadian trains and ferries are built with Canadian steel and aluminum, by Canadian workers, and where Canada has the strongest economy in the G7.”
According to the CBC, Freeland “spoke to reporters outside the office of steelmaker ArcelorMittal Dofasco in Hamilton’s industrial sector following a private meeting about building Canadian ferries and rail infrastructure [the Made in Canada: Ferries and Rail Summit]. She said the meeting involved representatives from those sectors, steel companies, related unions and elected officials including Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Some participants were in-person and others, like the premier, attended virtually.” The media outlet reported that Freeland “did not share details or forthcoming actions but said the meeting was ‘productive’ and ‘practical.’”
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