March 13, 2019 FORT ERIE, ONTARIO Transport Canada
Well-functioning trade corridors are important for Canadians to compete in key global markets and trade more efficiently with international partners.
Today, Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, toured the new and improved Intelligent Transportation System technologies at the Peace Bridge border crossing.
Transport Canada invested $362,482 under the National Trade Corridors Fund, for two projects to improve the border infrastructure to help Canadian businesses compete by moving goods to market more efficiently.
New radio-frequency identification readers and their corresponding electrical and IT infrastructure at auto primary inspection lanes are reducing vehicle inspection wait times. The radio-frequency identification readers are installed at the front of the inspection line, allowing travellers to scan their identification documents in advance of reaching the inspection booth for processing.
In addition, new cameras and IT infrastructure provide real-time data to travellers, border services officials, and the Buffalo-Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority which improves the accuracy of border wait time information and the flow of border traffic.
A third IT project is underway that will improve the toll system efficiency and is expected to be completed later this year.
"The Peace Bridge is an important economic generator for our province. The investment made by our Government to improve and upgrade its infrastructure will ensure it keeps serving our community for generations to come."
Chris Bittle
Member of Parliament for St. Catharines
"The quality of Canada's transportation infrastructure and the efficiency of the country's trade corridors is key to the success of Canadian enterprises in the global marketplace. This is our commitment to addressing long-term infrastructure needs in supporting middle-class growth and well-paying jobs, and ensuring that Canada's transportation networks remain cost competitive and efficient."
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
"The Peace Bridge is a strategic economic gateway. With the completion of these important projects, our Government is addressing transportation bottlenecks and supporting strategies to minimize congestion that are vital to foster long-term prosperity in our community."
Vance Badawey
Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre
Quick facts
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Over the last five years, an average of 3274 trucks per day (or nearly 1.2 million per year) crossed the Peace Bridge, carrying millions of dollars' worth of Canadian trade that support jobs across the country.
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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, accounting for 63.5 per cent of total Canadian trade in 2017.
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Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
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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.
