With the passing of the Building Canada Act, the federal government has signalled its intent to accelerate the review of projects deemed to be of national interest. As a strategic trade and multi-modal transportation corridor, projects in the St. Lawrence Seaway system can stand to benefit. Yet securing adequate funding remains a challenge, both for ports and for the maintenance and upgrading of the locks in the seaway system.
In fact the momentum of investment in marine infrastructure has changed over time. The chart below shows the ratio of private investments to $1 invested by the government in Quebec, Ontario and B.C.’s marine infrastructure since 1981. The definition of which includes physical infrastructure such as ports, harbour, canals and waterways.
The results reveal clear provincial contrasts. Ontario’s projects are almost entirely public-funded, suggesting that private investors see limited returns or face barriers to participation. Quebec shows a more mixed pattern, attracting private capital at times but still leaning heavily on public funding. B.C. stands out as the exception: private investment has not only been consistent but has also grown to exceed $1 billion annually in recent years, underscoring the province’s ability to leverage its Pacific gateway position to attract global capital.
These provincial differences highlight the value of a coordinated trade corridor strategy for marine infrastructure. By aligning investments with the strengths and needs of each region, such a strategy could guide public and private funding to where it delivers the greatest economic, trade and resilience benefits, ensuring all provinces contribute effectively to Canada’s broader objectives.
Data Vizdom digs into ideas big and small through visualizations that help make sense of a changing world, drawing on data from the SLGL dataHub.