MONTREAL — The Chamber of Marine Commerce is urging Ottawa to expand customs clearance capabilities at smaller ports to allow international container traffic through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes, saying it could ease shipping bottlenecks and boost trade efficiency.
Currently, only five Canadian ports have Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers authorized to inspect international shipping containers. The trade group argues that outfitting six additional inland ports with customs facilities would cut truck congestion, improve supply chain fluidity, and reduce dependence on U.S. ports.
Chamber spokesman Maguessa Morel-Laforce said a commissioned study found that expanding customs access could unlock $132 million in new business income while relieving pressure on the Port of Montreal, one of the country’s busiest maritime gateways.
The proposal mirrors calls from Great Lakes and St. Lawrence cities, whose mayors recently warned that Canada is losing out on trade revenues and jobs to nearby American ports equipped for customs clearance.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to fast-track several major infrastructure projects, including the Port of Montreal’s expansion, as part of his government’s plan to double non-U.S. exports. However, no other ports have been approved for expansion under the current federal list.