Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Allow us to express our condolences and our horror at the events that took place at CFB Wainwright on the weekend.
It is a privilege to address the legislative committee today to speak to Bill C‑39, the building Canada strong act.
The world around us is changing, as my colleague just said. Global trade is being reshaped, and the assumptions that have long shaped our economy can no longer be taken for granted. Our supply chains are under pressure, as are our transportation systems, and Canadian businesses must continue to operate even though they are dealing with more uncertainty than ever.
Canada cannot control what others do, but we can take action to strengthen our economy here at home. That means building an economy that is more resilient and less vulnerable to decisions made beyond our borders. To get there, we must further diversify our trade and build new commercial relationships around the world.
Canada has the advantages the world wants: an educated workforce, vast natural resources, a growing technology and AI ecosystem, and access to markets around the globe. Now we must turn those advantages into investment, into projects, into jobs and into growth. For Canadian businesses to seize these opportunities, they need clear rules, predictable decisions and reliable ways to get their products to customers. That is what Bill C-39 is all about.
Transportation and our supply chains are the backbone of our economy. This bill proposes legislative amendments to help every part of that system—roads, railways, warehouses, ports and airports—to work together more effectively. For example, Bill C-39 would strengthen our trade corridors by allowing important routes and geographic areas to be designated as national trade corridors, with clear performance goals.
A national trade corridors council would help identify bottlenecks and improve coordination across the system. The bill would also give port authorities greater flexibility to respond to changing trade opportunities, while strengthening accountability and oversight and encouraging greater collaboration along trade corridors.
I want to be clear: This does not privatize Canada's ports. These changes are about giving port authorities the tools and flexibility they need to serve Canada's economy. However, moving goods more efficiently is only part of the equation: We also need to make it easier to invest and build in Canada.
The measures in the building Canada strong act would help achieve that by reducing unnecessary regulatory duplication. A one project, one review approach would help coordinate federal processes, clarify timelines and reduce administrative burdens while maintaining Canada's strong safety and environmental standards, because it is vital that we build major projects more quickly.
The Major Projects Office will provide a single entry point for high-priority projects and help make federal approvals more coordinated and predictable.
We also need to modernize the way we go about trade. With this bill, we are prioritizing the digitalization of trade. Too much of our trade system still relies on paper and requires businesses to provide the same information over and over. Bill C‑39 would support a “tell us once” approach and enable greater use of electronic trade documents. That means less paperwork, fewer delays and a more efficient training system.
Finally, none of this works without the people who keep our supply chains moving.
We need skilled workers and modern workplaces. We also need stability in our transportation system so that disruptions do not ripple through the broader economy.
In closing, let me say this: This bill is about making it easier to invest here, easier to build in Canada, and easier to move Canadian products across Canada and to partners around the world.
It is about building a more resilient Canada, a more competitive Canada and one that is better positioned to succeed in a changing global economy.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
