Minister of Transport announces funding in British Columbia to improve rail capacity for the agriculture sector

SURREY, BC, - An efficient and reliable transportation system is essential to making life more affordable for Canadians and to combat the rising cost of living. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring our supply chains grow the economy and create good, middle-class jobs for Canadians, while ensuring they are resilient and adaptive to the impacts of climate change.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced an investment of up to $23 million to Global Agriculture Trans-Loading Inc., under the National Trade Corridors Fund, for a project that will expand rail capacity in Surrey, British Columbia.

With this funding, Global Agriculture Trans-Loading will make several purchases, including:

• a three-track rail spur;
• new container lifts;
• railcar pushers;
• conveyor belt systems; and
• bagging equipment.

These improvements to rail infrastructure and capacity will enable Global Agriculture Trans-Loading to double their operations and help move agricultural products and grain between different modes of transportation more efficiently. By reducing delays and bottlenecks in the transfer process, Canadian agricultural products will reach global markets faster.

The Government of Canada continues to make investments to strengthen our supply chain, promote economic growth, and create more opportunities for Canadian businesses. This represents another long-term commitment to work with stakeholders on strategic infrastructure projects to address transportation bottlenecks, vulnerabilities, and congestion along Canada's trade corridors.