Daniel-Robert Gooch, CEO of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, told Senators that Canada’s port authorities are key to enabling global trade and urgently need infrastructure investment to support growth and trade diversification. With at least $10 billion in projects identified through 2040, and only 40% funded, he welcomed the streamlined project approval process proposed in Bill C-5. Gooch emphasized that shifting trade from the U.S. to overseas markets could quickly overwhelm port capacity and urged reforms to modernize port authority governance, increase financial flexibility, and ensure efficient regulatory reviews while maintaining strong environmental and Indigenous standards.
