Honourable Chair, members of the committee and fellow witnesses, good afternoon.
I want to start off by saying that I'm honoured to be here before the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade. Thank you for the invitation to speak and share my views on Canadian businesses in supply chains and global markets.
I think most Canadians will agree with me when I say that we're fortunate to be citizens of such a resource-rich nation. Having easy access to raw materials and bulk commodities makes Canada an important link in the whole supply chain system.
Every day when I look out my window, whether it's from my truck as I'm driving to work or from my office at city hall, the bustling traffic on the Welland Canal always reminds me just how much Canada is connected to the rest of the world. As far as I'm concerned, the cargo on the ships passing through Port Colborne is precious cargo, and, without any of it, our lives would not be the same.
It took a global pandemic for us to realize that we often take the transportation of goods for granted. Since being elected and re-elected as mayor, one of my main priorities has been championing this message, that positive relationships between the public and private sectors are essential. I know I'm not the only one who believes this.
The four mayors along the Welland Canal, Matt Siscoe in St. Catharines, Terry Ugulini in Thorold, Frank Campion in Welland and me in Port Colborne, have all provided our support for partnerships that will position the Niagara region as a strong, multimodal transportation hub.
For the past 200 years, Port Colborne's residents have rolled up their sleeves, started businesses and worked hard at making sure that the Great Lakes stay a vital trade route for Canada. We are incredibly proud of all the progress that's being made today to revitalize our waterfront and transform hundreds of acres of industrial land along the canal. We may be a small town with a community of just over 20,000 people, but we prioritize economic development in a big way. An independent report in 2022 showed that maritime shipping in Port Colborne generates an economic impact of $64.5 million annually.
The Great Lakes—St. Lawrence region is the industrial and agricultural heartland of both the United States and Canada, with a combined GDP of more than $6 trillion U.S. This output would represent the third-largest economy in the world behind the U.S. and China if it were a country. Ontario is the third-largest trading partner with the United States after Mexico and China. Now, imagine what that number could be for all Lake Erie ports if, under a warming climate, year-round shipping became a reality.
I've been a long-time advocate for expanding marine shipping on the Great Lakes, and for good reason. First, it would reduce the number of trucks in urban areas, leading to less strain and congestion on our roads or highway infrastructures. Second, it's a more environmentally friendly option, contributing to lower carbon emissions. Finally, increased shipping activities creates new jobs in the marine industry and allows truck drivers to be closer to home.
In saying all of this, it may sound like I favour marine shipping over other modes of transport. Truthfully though, when it comes to optimizing supply chains and ensuring that Canada is a leading trade partner, I believe that different modes of transport need to work together and be complementary, not competitive.
The global marketplace offers Canadian businesses incredible opportunities, but it's not without its challenges. We saw this during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions and inefficiencies in any supply chain won't just hurt the Canadian economy, but also the everyday lives of Canadian consumers.
Through my involvement with the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence cities initiative, I've had productive conversations with fellow mayors as well as government officials about how cross-border supply chains—that is, at land borders and between Great Lakes ports—are the backbone of Canada's reputation on the world stage.
I'll wrap up by putting emphasis on the importance of collaborative supply chain relationships. We need supply chains to be sustainable, reliable and multimodal if we want Canada's place in the value chain to improve.
There is no doubt in my mind that the federal government should lead by strategically investing in key supply chain infrastructure and by working towards modernizing policy to boost the competitiveness of Canadian businesses.
Thank you again for this opportunity to appear before the standing committee.
I'd be happy to take questions.