Evidence of meeting #82 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ports.
A video is available from Parliament.
9:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Unfortunately, we have no time left for that round of questioning, but perhaps they can submit a response to that electronically to our clerk and we'll share it with the analysts.
Bringing us home this evening, we have Mr. Rogers.
Mr. Rogers, I'll turn the floor over to you. You have five minutes, sir.
9:15 p.m.
Liberal
Churence Rogers Liberal Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL
Thank you, Chair.
First of all, let me say welcome to the witnesses this evening. It's great to hear from people like you with your experience, expertise and knowledge. That can, hopefully, inform us as a committee to make some great recommendations that will lead to a better and more efficient supply chain system for the country.
We heard from many witnesses during previous sessions about supply chain issues. There were many different perspectives on why we were experiencing problems with the supply chain. Some people suggested that we need to have better data, do more digitalization, invest in technology and so on.
I'll start with Mr. Gooch.
How do you see data sharing helping ports become more efficient and more effective, from the perspective of data collection, digitalization and so on?
October 18th, 2023 / 9:15 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Association of Canadian Port Authorities
Well, this is a new area for me, but from what I've seen there are provisions in our bill, and it seems like the Government of Canada has intentions to put data-sharing provisions into different parts of the supply chain.
It's all about visibility, understanding what's coming and what's going, and making all of the parts flow more efficiently and more effectively together. I think, from what I've seen, from what I've heard, from what we know, it's a positive development to see the Government of Canada moving on that in terms of the flow of goods. It's also good for CBSA, so they understand what's coming.
If we can do it properly—obviously, with governance of the data ensuring that confidentiality and commercial sensitivity are all protected—this can be a positive development.
9:15 p.m.
Liberal
Churence Rogers Liberal Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL
Thank you.
I'll ask the port authorities if they want to chime in on that particular issue.
9:15 p.m.
Executive Vice-President, Trois-Rivières Port Authority
If I can comment on that, I'd say that's a very interesting question.
More data sharing is crucial to painting a comprehensive picture of the supply chain. We know a lot of work has already been done on containers. Container standardization lends itself to data sharing, but it's important to remember that containers account for just 20% of all goods transported by ship. The rest, 80%, is made up of all sorts of other products.
Creating databases and information systems and strengthening collaboration among various stakeholders to reorganize supply chains will take a huge amount of work. That's certainly one direction we should head in. The Port of Trois‑Rivières is already tackling that.
9:15 p.m.
Liberal
Churence Rogers Liberal Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL
I appreciate that, and I agree.
Mr. Hamilton, would you like to comment from your perspective?
9:15 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority
I'm going to the root of your question. The supply chain vulnerability is really around capacity, and we certainly believe that the right transparency around data would help us to build capacity and re-engineer supply chains.
One of the areas we looked at in partnership with McMaster University was the volume of truck traffic between the Midwest of the United States and southern Ontario, and how much of that could be converted to marine. That has a positive sustainability story in terms of both reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also the reduction in truck traffic and road traffic, creating more capacity on our highways.
There's no good way of collecting data in Canada and transparency around data. It has to be looked at holistically with all of the modes rather than just in the silos, which, quite often, is done today.
9:15 p.m.
Liberal
Churence Rogers Liberal Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, NL
Do you think what we're trying to do here with Bill C-33 will get us to that stage?
9:20 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority
I don't now how much is addressed specifically inside the bill, but I believe there is an intent to try to create this transparency. I still think we're miles behind other countries. When you look at what the United States does in terms of transparency around supply chains, the movement of cargo and things like that, their companies can respond and be much more nimble in understanding where pinch points are and how to create a new product to deal with that pinch point.
There's no silver bullet, but it has to be a very holistic view on data. Again, I think that Transport Canada recognizes this. We just probably haven't created all the tools yet to be able to take full advantage of it.
9:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Schiefke
Thank you, Mr. Rogers. Unfortunately, that concludes the five-minute slot for questions.
Thank you to all our witnesses for appearing either in person or joining us virtually this evening, particularly those of you who are joining us very late.
I also want to take a moment to thank our interpreters, who I think did a fantastic job once again this evening.
This meeting is adjourned.