Ottawa-A National Supply Chain office will be created to help move products within and out of the country as quickly as possible, says Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez.

The office will have $27.2 million in funding and be led by Assistant Deputy Transport Minister Robert Dick. This initiative is supported by an investment of $27.2 million from Budget 2023.

The Office will work with industry, labour and the provinces to increase efficiency and resiliency across the country’s supply chains. Among its tasks will be developing and implementing a National Supply Chain Strategy and supporting federal responses to significant supply chain disruptions, such as extreme weather and labour disputes.

It will also support data sharing to help goods move more efficiently and facilitate strategic policy and regulatory and investment decisions by governments and industry.

It will also provide overarching leadership and coordination, foster collaboration and conduct external outreach with regard to interprovincial and global supply chain issues.

Rodriguez said the creation of a National Supply Chain Office delivers on a key recommendation of the National Supply Chain Task Force report. Strengthening Canada's transportation supply chains will help make life more affordable for Canadians and grow the national economy.

Rodriguez has also announced a Green Shipping Corridor Program to make marine transportation more affordable, safe, and efficient way. “By making sure that marine shipping is done sustainably, we not only help grow a strong economy and get people the goods they need, we help keep our environment healthy.”

The $165.4 million programs is looking for proposals to establish additional green shipping corridors and help decarbonize the marine sector in major shipping areas along the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and Canada’s east and west coasts.

The Clean Ports portion of the program will provide funding to support the adoption of clean technology and infrastructure at ports and terminals. The Clean Vessel Demonstration stream will provide funding to study, test and pilot clean fuel propulsion systems for ships.

“With the new Green Shipping Corridor Program, Canada is taking another step towards meeting its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050,” Rodriguez said.

Already in place are agreements to pursue green shipping corridors on routes including Montreal – Anvers, Belgium, Halifax – Hamburg and Pacific Northwest – Alaska. Canada is also working with several partners to pursue additional green shipping corridors.

This news report was prepared for National Newswatch.