Canadian Ports Welcome Bill C-39 as Halifax Faces Declining Container Traffic
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, to accelerate infrastructure development and streamline approvals. The Port of Halifax and national maritime organizations have welcomed the legislation amid declining container volumes in 2026.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government introduced Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, last week to accelerate infrastructure development and strengthen Canada’s economy. The legislation establishes a framework for "national trade corridors" and identifies supply-chain bottlenecks with recommendations to address them.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon described the bill as one of the government’s most significant economic initiatives, intended to reduce red tape and help move goods more quickly. Under the legislation, the federal government promotes a "one project, one review, one year" approach to major projects to bring speed, certainty, and predictability to infrastructure reviews.
Nova Scotia MP Kody Blois stated that the legislation responds to requests from ports for greater flexibility in governance and regulatory decisions. The Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA) supports Bill C-39, noting it could create favorable conditions for investment in infrastructure needed to move Canadian goods to international markets.
The National Maritime Group, representing more than 100 organizations, welcomed the bill, stating it addresses concerns regarding labour disruption, security, digitalization, and port governance. The Port of Halifax stated it is reviewing the proposed changes to assess their impact on Canada’s transportation network and the port’s role as an international gateway.
The legislative push comes as the Port of Halifax navigates a downturn in cargo volumes. Container traffic through Halifax declined in 2026, with more than 217,000 TEUs moved through its terminals in the first half of the year, a 15.8 per cent decline from the same period last year. The Halifax Port Authority reported 902,260 tonnes of cargo handled in the second quarter ending June 30, down 14.4 per cent from the same period in 2025.
Despite the recent declines, the Port of Halifax has set a long-term goal of handling 1.6 million TEUs of cargo annually by 2070.