National Maritime Group welcomes proposed changes to Canada Marine Act to enhance transparency, ensure competitiveness and economic growth

OTTAWA, JUNE 20, 2023 — National Maritime Group (NMG) applauds the federal government’s move to modernize port governance and ensure economic competitiveness and growth under the newly tabled legislation, Bill C-52, the Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in the Transportation System Act.

The bill proposes to enhance rules for Port Authorities who set annual terminal fees. If passed, the bill would also provide enhanced criteria and a modernized complaints mechanism administered by the Canadian Transportation Agency to allow the government to make regulations regarding dispute resolutions related to port terminal leases.

“More than 213,000 jobs at Canada’s ports depend on coalition member operations. Bill C-52 is an important step to ensure our sector remains competitive and keeps Canadians employed. We thank the government for moving forward with this necessary legislation and call on all parliamentarians to quickly pass it in order to keep our supply chain stable and ensure economic growth,” said NMG co-executive director Isabelle Pelletier. 

“On a daily basis, National Maritime Group member companies support the movement of $790 million worth of cargo through Canadian ports. Our members contribute $4.3 billion annually to the national GDP and over $8.5 billion in economic output. Transparency in operations is essential to this continued success,” added NMG co-executive director Rob Mackay-Dunn. 

Where ships meet shore, Canada’s private sector maritime employers play a crucial role in Canada’s national supply chain, driving Canada’s overall economic and social prosperity.

NMG represents nearly 100 private sector maritime employers and operators from coast to coast and through the St. Lawrence, moving essential goods and providing well-paying family-supporting jobs in 14 Canadian ports across five provinces. This is done safely and in an environmentally-responsible manner. 

NMG welcomes the important measures in Bill C-52 and looks forward to working with the government on implementing it.

For more information: 

info@nationalmaritimegroup.ca