Millions of dollars in funding announced for Port Saint John, N.B. Southern Railway
Millions of dollars in funding announcement Wednesday, under the banner of strengthening Canada’s supply chain, will go towards an expansion of Port Saint John and upgrade of two Irving-owned rail terminals in New Brunswick.
A total of $42 million is earmarked for Port Saint John’s west side terminal, adding two cranes and wheeled cargo capabilities.
Port Saint John CEO Craig Bell Estabrooks says the funding will double the site’s cargo capacity from 2023 to 2029 and complement a new pier set for operation next year.
“It will be filling in the slips that were closed off by the pier and that will create 18 more acres,” says Bell Estabrooks.
A breakdown of the $42 million in funding will see $16.8 million come from the provincial government, $21 million from the federal government, and $4.2 million from Port Saint John.
In a separate announcement, the federal government will direct $21.16 million in funding to New Brunswick Southern Railway’s two rail terminals in Saint John and McAdam. J.D. Irving Limited, the railway’s owner, will match Ottawa’s commitment, bringing the project’s total to $42.32 million.
J.D. Irving Limited CEO James D. Irving says the upgrades will allow the addition of heavier gauge tracks, which can run at a higher speed and allow double stack containers and longer trains.
“The train has to be in Montreal in 24 hours, and this business is a game of minutes and hours,” says Irving.
Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says it will take time for Wednesday’s funding to address supply chain stresses across the country right now.
“But it’s not that long,” says Alghabra. “It’s in the medium-term. We are also doing other things in the short-term.”
“We’re tackling the issue of data and the digitization of data. We’re tackling coordination between modes of transportation. So, those types of initiatives are taking place across the country.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Joly, Blair condemn anti-NATO protest in Montreal that saw fires, smashed windows
Federal cabinet ministers condemned an anti-NATO protest in Montreal that turned violent on Friday, saying 'hatred and antisemitism' were on display.
NEW Thinking about taking an 'adult gap year'? Here's what experts say you should know
Canadian employees are developing an appetite for an 'adult gap year': a meaningful break later in life to refocus, refresh and indulge in something outside their daily routine, according to experts.
Canada Post down eight million parcels amid strike as talk carry on over weekend
Canada Post says it has seen a shortage of more than eight million parcels amid the ongoing strike that has effectively shut down the postal system for nine days compared with the same period of 2023.
Canada's top general takes on U.S. senator in defending womens' role in combat units
Canada's top general firmly rejected the notion of dropping women from combat roles — a position promoted by president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary — at a security forum underway in Halifax today.
Transit supervisor assaulted with 'torch' made of hairspray can and lighter: police
A Winnipeg man has been charged after a transit supervisor was assaulted with a makeshift torch in the city’s downtown area Friday morning.
'Her shoe got sucked into the escalator': Toronto family warns of potential risk of wearing Crocs
A Toronto family is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter's Crocs got stuck in an escalator, ripping the entire toe area of the clog off.
Walking pneumonia is surging in Canada. Is it peaking now?
CTVNews.ca spoke with various medical experts to find out the latest situation with the typically mild walking pneumonia in their area and whether parents should be worried.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.
Prime Minister Trudeau attends Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Toronto with family
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a Swiftie. His office confirmed to CTV News Toronto that he and members of his family are attending the penultimate show of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Toronto on Friday evening.