Latest news with #SusanBlack
Cision Canada
24-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Building a Future-Ready Trade Infrastructure Network
OTTAWA, ON, /CNW/ - To build a future-ready trade infrastructure network, Canada must develop a long-term strategy and invest in transformative trade infrastructure projects, according to new research from The Conference Board of Canada. "With global markets shifting and an increasingly volatile global climate, Canada's trade infrastructure stands at a critical juncture," said Susan Black, Chief Executive Officer of The Conference Board of Canada. "Addressing today's challenges requires a strategic, systems-level approach that aligns regional objectives and lays the foundation for sustained global competitiveness." Canada's trade performance has been falling for decades. From 2004 to 2024, volumes of energy and services exports grew by 75 per cent and 90 per cent respectively, while volumes of goods exports rose by a comparatively weak 7 per cent. Our infrastructure investments have not kept pace with the evolving demands of an increasingly complex global trade environment. "Canada has an opportunity to redefine its trade corridors and build an infrastructure network that is both resilient and future-oriented," said Babatunde Olateju, Director of Sustainability at The Conference Board of Canada. "However, this will not be achieved through standalone, isolated projects - it calls for coordinated efforts and a shared vision that accounts for both federal and provincial-territorial priorities." Diversification will be central to Canada's forward-looking vision. While the United States remains Canada's largest trading partner, opportunities in Europe and Asia are emerging and require infrastructure investment to facilitate new trade corridors and new product markets in areas such as critical minerals and hydrogen. Already, collaborative efforts between governments and private industry are advancing transformative projects. Not only are these partnerships crucial for deploying new technologies, but also for generating trade infrastructure projects within broader developmental strategies. To fully unlock the benefits of these efforts, Canada must also broaden its focus beyond the primary trade network. While considerable focus has been directed toward building capacity at major ports (e.g. the Port of Vancouver) and the mainline rail network, secondary regional infrastructure remains overlooked. Tapping into these systems could enhance the efficiency and resilience of trade networks. Canada has several examples, at various stages of readiness, of trade infrastructure projects that advance federal and provincial–territorial strategic objectives in trade and trade infrastructure. These transformative trade infrastructure projects exemplify the long-term vision for the future of the trade network. With seismic shifts in the economic and geopolitical landscape, Canada should adopt a mission-critical approach to trade diversification and infrastructure deployment. However, pace should be balanced with prudence. Meaningful consultations with Indigenous rights holders and other communities will be indispensable to our success. Overall, for Canada to seize trade opportunities in the coming years, it must embrace a unified, future-oriented vision. Aligning federal and provincial efforts, while deepening public-private partnerships, will be essential to developing a trade network that is well-equipped to meet the demands of today and tomorrow. About The Conference Board of Canada The Conference Board of Canada is the country's leading independent research organization. Since 1954, The Conference Board of Canada has been providing research that supports evidence-based decision making to solve Canada's toughest problems. Follow The Conference Board of Canada on Twitter @ConfBoardofCda.
CTV News
09-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
‘About time': Sussex, N.B., residents relieved flood plan will proceed
Holman Avenue is covered in water in Sussex, N.B., on Feb. 29, 2024. It's been a long time coming for residents and municipal leaders of Sussex and the surrounding area. Last week, the town was given approval by the federal government to proceed with a flood diversion project. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) announced a review of the Sussex Region Flood Diversion Project was complete and determined any potential negative impacts would be limited or addressed, so the town is free to start permits and other paperwork. 'About time. We should have had it a long time ago,' said Sussex resident Susan Black. 'Our homes are getting destroyed. Over on Holman Avenue, Stewart Avenue, Maple Avenue, it was the worst it has ever been in the last couple of years. We're tired of re-doing basements.' On Feb. 29, 2024 the region received up to 200 millimetres of rain overnight causing major flooding, road closures and forcing some residents from their homes. Severe weather events in the area have caused millions in damages over the past decade. Late last year, the town proposed the construction and operation of a new, permanent flood control management system and submitted documents to the IAAC. The project involves the construction of two new flood diversion channels that will divert flood waters from Trout Creek and Parsons Brook to the Kennebecasis River during flood events. N.B. flood A resident paddles her kayak at Darlings Island, N.B. on Thursday, May 3, 2018 as the Kennebecasis River flooded the only road into the community. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan Town of Sussex CAO, Jason Thorne, said Ottawa's approval of the $38-million project is very significant news for the flood mitigation project. 'There will be no federal comments or inputs required in the environmental assessment process going forward for this project,' said Thorne. 'So what that means is a shortening of the timeline by as much as three years and cutting the cost of this overall project down by as much as $250,000.' The project is being funded by the federal, provincial and municipal governments. Thorne said the intent is to divert flood waters around the community rather than the traditional path through the downtown core. 'Mitigating upwards of $60 million in damages per flood event,' said Thorne. Julie Duplessie's family is relatively new to Sussex, but she said it's great news for the town. 'A lot of people have had a hard time over the years that we've heard,' said Duplessie. 'We are newer to the community in the last few years, but I know I've heard a lot of stories and problems that people have had so I think it's a really good thing for the town.' Georgina Dickens Moore said the town's plan should help all residents in the area. 'Cut down on all of the damage that they've had,' said Dickens Moore. 'A lot of basements being ruined. Insurance. A lot of houses maybe don't have insurance. The diversion plan is very good.' Thorne said the project is actually several smaller projects rolled into one and the first stage, a berm construction in Ward 2 of the community, is already underway. 'Which will protect upwards of 40 homes from future flooding events. The project window for that is actually over the course of this summer heading into fall and that work is underway right now,' said Thorne. Thorne said the hope is the project will be wrapped up heading into 2028. Sussex flooding Water rises up to the doorsteps of Sussex-area homes in New Brunswick on Feb. 29, 2024. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
