Canada budget prioritizes infrastructure, border crossings

   Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty released his 2013 budget yesterday, calling for more than $47 billion in new infrastructure spending in the next decade.
   In a speech announcing the budget, Flahrety said the program, his update to 2007’s Building Canada plan, will be “the largest and longest federal investment in building roads, bridges and public transit in Canadian history.”
   In addition, the budget sets aside money to strengthen the nation’s border crossings and help manufacturers compete in the global economy.  
   The Canadian Trucking Alliance sees a number of positive trucking infrastructure proposals in the document. It points to the infrastructure spending – which will affect provincial, territorial and local highways and bridges – and the Beyond the Border Action Plan as net gains for the transportation industry.
   The border plan proposes improvements to existing crossings, an electronic “single window” program for companies to submit shipment information, harmonized benefits for trusted traders, and automation pilot projects for smaller border crossings. It also strives to better coordinate entry and exit information for truckers journeying to the United States.
   “Getting people, goods and services across the border is critical to Canada’s prosperity,” Flahrety said. “That is why our government will continue to implement our Beyond the Border Action Plan to keep trade with the United States flowing freely.”
   The full budget is available here. – Jon Ross