Media Lines/Questions and Answers - Office of the Auditor General report on the NTCF
Q1. The Office of the Auditor General found that Transport Canada did not effectively monitor the projects funded through the National Trade Corridors Fund. How will Transport Canada make sure that they improve monitoring?
A1. Transport Canada is committed to capturing project results. At this time, 36 of 213 projects have been completed; this represents fewer than 10% of the total investment in the program. The Department is working with recipients to track project specific indicators to report on the impact of the projects and the outcomes of the program.
Media Lines/Questions and Answers - Office of the Auditor General report on the NTCF
Q2. How is the National Trade Corridors Fund reducing supply-chain congestion?
A2. The National Trade Corridors Fund is making important investments toward transportation supply chain projects across Canada. These investments have significant advantages for the Canadian economy by improving trade gateways. This makes it easier for Canadian businesses to deliver their products to consumers around the world, with improved efficiency and reliability in the supply chain. Since its launch in 2017, the National Trade Corridors Fund has completed seven calls for proposals aimed at reducing congestion at Canada’s ports and increasing the fluidity of Canada’s supply chains.
In 2023, the Government of Canada completed the seventh call for proposals under the National Trade Corridors Fund with a focus on advancing supply chain digitalization. The Minister of Transport approved 23 projects for funding. These projects will strengthen Canada's digital infrastructure and make Canada's transportation supply chains more efficient and reliable. This is one of many actions under the Advancing Industry-Driven Digitalization of Canada’s Supply Chain Initiative.
Making targeted investments in Canada’s transportation infrastructure and implementing digital tools and new technologies will serve to alleviate congestion pressures on our supply chains while supporting economic resilience and sustainable growth for the longer-term.
Media Lines/Questions and Answers - Office of the Auditor General report on the NTCF
Q3. Who is eligible to receive funding under the National Trade Corridors Fund?
A3. Stakeholders involved in Canada’s transportation and trade corridors are eligible recipients, provided that the projects they submit meet the merit criteria and objectives of the Fund. These stakeholders include:
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Provinces and territories, including provincially and territorially owned entities
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Municipalities, including local and regional governments and municipally owned entities
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Indigenous communities, tribal councils, and other forms of regional government, organizations, and/or development corporations
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Public sector organizations
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Federal Crown corporations and agencies
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Not-for-profit and for-profit private sector organizations
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Canadian Port Authorities (subject to the provisions of the Canada Marine Act)
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National Airport System Airport Authorities
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Academia
Media Lines/Questions and Answers - Office of the Auditor General report on the NTCF
Q4. How are projects selected under the National Trade Corridors Fund?
A4. A multi-phase, open, and competitive (merit-based) application process is used to review funding proposals. Transport Canada assesses proposed projects against the National Trade Corridors Fund objectives, conditions, and merit criteria. Transport Canada officials make project funding recommendations to the Minister of Transport. Project selection ultimately rests with the Minister of Transport.
Media Lines/Questions and Answers - Office of the Auditor General report on the NTCF
Q5. What do you mean by merit-based?
A5. The National Trade Corridors Fund is a competitive program, where the projects that align most with the program objectives and merit criteria are recommended to the Minister of Transport for funding consideration. Projects will be assessed by Transport Canada to evaluate how well they align with the four key program objectives:
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Supporting the flow of goods and passengers by reducing bottlenecks and addressing capacity issues
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Helping the transportation system withstand the effects of climate change and ensuring it is able to support new technologies and innovation
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Addressing the unique transportation needs in Canada's Arctic and Northern regions to improve safety and foster economic and social development
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Building on investments made by a variety of public and private sector partners