Hon. Steve MacKinnon — Connecting Canada: The Trade Infrastructure Strategy to Power Canada’s Economic Future

Timing is everything. Canada has what the world wants, from critical minerals and energy to advanced manufacturing, agri-food, technology, and talent. Yet, it is entering a more protectionist, volatile era of trade just as global demand for our resources, expertise, and innovation is accelerating. To future proof our economy, we must prove that we can move goods, ideas, and people reliably, predictably, and at the pace global partners now expect.

It’s not just about managing risk; it is about seizing opportunity at a key inflection point. And the world is watching to see if we can deliver at scale and on time.

Unlocking Canada’s potential requires a trade infrastructure strategy that is built with tomorrow in mind despite today’s constraints, one that ensures that our supply chains work end to end. It requires us to recognize strengthening ports, rail networks, and aviation systems, modernizing trade corridors, and advancing nation-building projects such as high-speed rail as not only transportation projects, but as productivity strategies, labour mobility enablers and long-horizon investments in Canada’s economic resilience and growth.

On March 27, 2026, The Empire Club of Canada hosted The Honourable Steve MacKinnon, Canada’s Transport Minister, for Connecting Canada: The Trade Infrastructure Strategy to Power Canada’s Economic Future, a strategic conversation on how Canada is responding, where the next wave of trade-enabling infrastructure took shape, and why Toronto and Ontario sit at the centre of a national strategy to ensure Canada not only adapts, but leads in a more competitive world. Following the speech, a fireside chat was moderated by Tim Murphy, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic Affairs Officer of Aecon Group Inc.