The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, participated in the Made in Canada: Ferries and Rail Summit held in Hamilton, Ontario, on September 2.
Hosted by the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, the summit brought together key industry leaders, suppliers, and governments to discuss how, by working together, Canada’s rail and ferry industries can use more Canadian steel and aluminum in construction projects. The forum also presented an opportunity to discuss the future needs of ferry and rail projects, capacity constraints and barriers to building in Canada, as well as actions governments could take to support industry.
The summit’s focus on domestic production helps ensure that investments in critical transportation infrastructure – like ferries and trains – directly benefit the people and businesses that form the backbone of the country’s economy. At a time when these industries are facing intense pressure from tariffs, the summit aimed to foster a more self-sufficient and stronger industrial base at home in Canada.
With four provincial ferries nearing 40 years of age, Newfoundland and Labrador has identified the need for fleet renewal to ensure continued service. The Provincial Government is open to considering a number of options to help sustain the ferry system, including new builds, retrofits, leases and contracts.
In July, the Provincial Government released a request for information (RFI) seeking interest from vendors to provide an additional suitable swing vessel for the province. The RFI, which closes September 5, is seeking market input on available options and potential timelines.
Minister Loveless also discussed this province’s need to explore the benefits and logistical considerations of integrating smaller ferries into the existing transportation network, ensuring improved accessibility and efficiency for communities that rely on ferry services. Incorporating smaller vessels offers several advantages, including cost-effectiveness, reduced environmental impact and the ability to serve less populated routes more effectively.
The summit also provided an opportunity for the minister to discuss the potential for hybrid and electric ferries, as well as the capacity for ferry building within Newfoundland and Labrador.
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“This summit was a vital opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure our unique transportation needs are part of the national conversation. Ferries are lifelines for many of our smaller towns and communities and investing in Canadian-built vessels would equate into greater reliability, more jobs and more pride in what we can accomplish together. We’re committed to building a stronger, more connected future for our province, and this summit provided a good initial conversation on what that future might look like. I look forward to continued dialogue with ministers, labour and industry.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
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