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The quality of transportation infrastructure and the efficiency of trade corridors are key to the success of Canadian firms in the global marketplace. The Government of Canada supports infrastructure projects that create quality middle-class jobs and boost economic growth.
Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced an investment for the construction of an Air Cargo Logistics Park at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ). This project involves developing new cargo facilities at the airport and new buildings for cargo handling.
The new Logistics Park will have easy access to the regional highway system, Burnside Business Park in Halifax, and cargo facilities throughout the Atlantic Region.
Today’s $23 million investment– $18 million from the Government of Canada and $5 million from the Government of Nova Scotia — will increase the export of goods from Atlantic Canada by improving efficiency and reducing bottlenecks in the air cargo logistics chain; enhance overall cargo capacity with a continued focus on exporting fresh Nova Scotia seafood to flourishing and growing markets in China and the European Union.
It also supports Canada’s trade diversification strategy which is all about securing better trade deals and providing support to innovative, ambitious and hard-working Canadian entrepreneurs so they can achieve success here and in all corners of the world.
This project is expected to have significant economic and employment benefits by creating an estimated 643 jobs during construction, as well as more than 3,000 jobs in the first year of operation.
The Government of Canada is supporting infrastructure projects that contribute most to Canada’s continued success in international trade. For example, projects being funded will:
- Support economic activity and the physical movement of goods or people in Canada;
- Help the transportation system withstand the effects of climate change and make sure it is able to support new technologies and innovation;
- Address transportation bottlenecks and congestion along Canada’s trade corridors; and
- Increase the fluidity of Canadian trade around the world through our ports, airports, roads, railways, intermodal facilities, bridges and border crossings.
Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous groups, not-for-profit and for-profit private-sector organizations, federal Crown Corporations, Canadian Port Authorities, and National Airport System Airport Authorities are all eligible for funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund.
“Our government is investing in Canada’s economy by improving our trade and transportation corridors and with trade diversification,” said Garneau. “By creating new opportunities for Canadian investors, exporters and, especially, our small- and medium-sized businesses, the Government of Canada is helping them access new customers, clients and the well-paying jobs that flow from these opportunities.”
“I am very pleased that this important project is going ahead,” said Sean Fraser, Member of Parliament for Central Nova. “The new Air Cargo Logistics Park at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport will not only help to create new jobs during the construction phase, but also result in significant number of longer-term positions to sustain its operations. This investment will help our community to prosper.”
“Any way or any time we can improve our capacity to export goods and products benefits Nova Scotians and Nova Scotia companies,” said the Honourable Lloyd Hines, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Government of Nova Scotia. “We’ve seen significant growth in our exports, and this investment will help meet the demand for our products, help us reach new markets, and ensure the quality of goods that Nova Scotia is known for.”
“We are extremely pleased to be receiving federal and provincial funding to develop the Halifax Stanfield Air Cargo Logistics Park, which will connect commercial and logistics businesses in Atlantic Canada to air cargo opportunities spanning the globe. It will also enhance transportation infrastructure, increase trade, foster export capacity and create jobs, all to the benefit of our province and our region,” said Joyce Carter, president and CEO, Halifax International Airport Authority.
Quick Facts
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport handles more than 70 per cent of Atlantic Canada air cargo exports. The largest single export category from the airport is high-quality, time-sensitive seafood from across Atlantic Canada.
- Transportation is an important element of Canada’s trade with other countries. In 2017, total international merchandise trade amounted to $1.1 trillion. The United States continued to be Canada’s top trade partner, with $703 billion in trade ($415 billion exported, $288 billion imported), accounting for 63.5 per cent of total Canadian trade in 2017.
- The Government of Canada places a strong emphasis on exports because of the connection between trade and good, well-paying jobs, as industries that are export-intensive pay wages that are, on average, more than 50 per cent higher than industries that are not.
