By Leo Ryan, Editor
While the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has traditionally focused on security, it must now prioritize trade facilitation as well by notably significantly broadening customs support for shipping projects requiring marine container examination facilities.
Such is the central message from the respective leaders of the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Shipping Federation of Canada, the St. Lawrence Shipoperators, the Ontario Marine Council, and the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES) in a joint letter dated January 28 to Canadian Public Safety Minister David McGuinty.
“Canada’s border security and trade infrastructure face urgent challenges,” the joint Letter begins.
“At present, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) only operates five marine container examination facilities in Canada: Halifax, Saint John, Montréal, Prince Rupert and Vancouver,” it points out. “This is causing strained ports of entry and pressures on trade relationships, especially when you consider most provinces and that key trading hubs along the Great Lakes-St Lawrence Corridor, including the Greater Toronto Area, are without such facilities.
“Security and trade are equally vital to Canada’s prosperity. Maintaining border security must not undermine efficient and resilient supply chains. CBSA has an opportunity to modernize its operations for today’s operational reality. While it has traditionally focused on security, CBSA must now prioritize trade facilitation as well. Both goals can and must coexist.”
The shipping coalition stressed: “This shift is critical as Canadians grapple with inflation and economic uncertainty. Businesses and transportation leaders have proposed several practical and action-ready solutions, including inland terminals to augment and relieve pressure on first ports of arrival. CBSA has resisted advancing trade priorities in the past, but now is the time to change. A clear mandate and decisive action are needed to implement these forward-thinking proposals.”
The Letter further states: “Other government agencies have shown how to balance security and efficiency. Transport Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund and Green Shipping Corridor Fund strengthen supply chains while advancing sustainability. The new National Supply Chain Office reflects the government’s commitment to coordinated solutions. CBSA must step into this effort as a key partner, securing borders while also streamlining trade.
“The Canada-U.S. trade relationship depends on efficient borders. The Great Lakes St. Lawrence region alone accounts for over 50% of bilateral trade and boasts a combined GDP of US$6 trillion. Secure, functional borders in this region drive economic growth for both countries.
“The Canada-U.S. trade relationship depends on efficient borders. The Great Lakes St. Lawrence region alone accounts for over 50% of bilateral trade and boasts a combined GDP of US$6 trillion. Secure, functional borders in this region drive economic growth for both countries.
“CBSA’s leadership is essential. We urge the Agency to seize this opportunity to enhance border operations, protect security, and facilitate trade. Canadian businesses and supply chain partners are ready to collaborate to build resilient and sustainable trade networks,” the Letter concluded.
Among specific ports concerned…
Not specifically detailed in the Letter were ongoing issues on the subject at such ports as Hamilton, Valleyfield and Windsor.
As reported in the winter 2025 issue of Maritime Magazine, Ian Hamilton, President and CEO of the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) indicated that customs support was lacking for several shortsea shipping initiatives within the Great Lakes that would “cut road congestion and emissions.”
Endorsing this view was Steven Salmons, President and CEO of the Port of Windsor, who declared: “The federal government needs to review the role of the Canada Border Services Agency so that the CBSA’s mandate expands from simply protecting our borders to also promoting safe and secure trade between Canada and other nations,” he says. “Right now we have the irony of Transport Canada providing us with $12.5 million to develop a shortsea shipping terminal and the CBSA saying it doesn’t see the business case to staff it.”
Elsewhere, a response is also pending from the CSBA on the request from QSL for customs services for a proposed container terminal project at the Port of Quebec.
(Photo of vessel in the harbour waters of Port of Hamilton)