Western Inland Ports form alliance to strengthen Canada’s trade corridors

CentrePort Canada, Global Transportation Hub Authority, Leduc County, Edmonton Global and Edmonton Airports (Port Alberta), and The City of Calgary and Rocky View County (Prairie Economic Gateway) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create the Canadian Inland Ports Alliance (CIPA). The Alliance will align on major inland port initiatives, strengthening seaport-to-hinterland connectivity and supporting a more resilient, diversified, and competitive Canadian trade network.

CIPA responds directly to growing pressures facing Canada’s trade and transportation network, including congestion, shifting trade partners, supply chain disruptions, marine gateway constraints and the need for stronger inland capacity. The Alliance will help speed up coordinated action, increase interprovincial trade, expand access to global markets, and strengthen supply chain reliability.

The MoU establishes a framework for formal collaboration on planning, advocacy, investment, and performance measurement. The agreement is intended to advance strategic planning focused on Canadian inland ports, aligning priorities, and advancing shared evidence to measure progress and outcomes.

The parties will review progress annually and identify opportunities for further collaboration.

Quotes

“Inland ports play a vital role in strengthening Canada’s trade and transportation networks. The Government of Canada is committed to expanding trade opportunities and building resilient supply chains. By investing in modern transportation infrastructure across the country, we are helping ensure the efficient movement of goods while supporting local jobs and economic growth.”

- The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

“Prairie Economic Gateway was created to help address Canada’s trade challenges by increasing capacity in the trade network and creating new routes to more markets. This agreement shows how municipalities, inland ports and regions can work together to strengthen trade infrastructure, make supply chains more reliable and support a stronger Canadian economy.”

- Mayor Jeromy Farkas, City of Calgary

“Prairie Economic Gateway is a generational opportunity to strengthen our region’s role in Canadian trade, attract investment and create long-term economic opportunity. By coordinating our efforts and planning across the trade corridor, we can help Western Canadian businesses move goods more efficiently and support a more resilient, diversified economy.”

- Reeve Sunny Samra, Rocky View County

“Canada’s trade volumes are growing, and strong, integrated national trade corridors are integral to our sovereignty and connectivity. Inland ports build capacity and resiliency into our national transportation network. As Canada's largest and most established inland port, we have seen firsthand the value inland ports provide for Canadian businesses: More options to move their goods to market, room to invest and grow, and the ability to more easily build resilient and diversified supply chains.”

- Carly Edmundson, President & CEO, CentrePort Canada Inc.

“Port Alberta is a critical link in Canada’s trade network, and the Canadian Inland Ports Alliance will unlock new value across it. By connecting Western Canada’s inland ports more directly to global markets, we’re opening new routes to market and real revenue opportunities for Canadian and international businesses ready to grow.”

– Daryn Edgar, CEO Edmonton Global

“As an airport CEO, I recognize that Canada’s aviation network is part of a national, multimodal transport system. This MOU reflects our joint efforts to invest in data, deepen our understanding of trade flows, and modernize digital trade strategies—unlocking more efficient intermodal transport and delivering greater value for Canadians.”

- Myron Keehn, President and CEO, Edmonton Airports

“Trade has always been a cornerstone of Saskatchewan's economy. The Canadian Inland Ports Alliance unites key transportation and logistics partners to strengthen Canada's trade infrastructure, improve access to global markets and build a more connected and resilient supply chain network. Together, we are helping position Canada and Saskatchewan for long-term economic growth and competitiveness.”

- Daniel Hersche, President and CEO, The Global Transportation Hub Authority

“Leduc County proudly supports the Canadian Inland Ports Alliance, an initiative highlighting the importance of provincial and regional partnerships in driving economic growth across Alberta and Canada. Our County is uniquely positioned to help make this initiative a success by leveraging key assets. These include the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) with its 24/7 global cargo hub, the Nisku Business Park, home to more than 800 businesses and 15,000 employees, and our strategic access to major rail and road networks that move goods and services quickly and efficiently.”

– Mayor Tanni Doblanko, Leduc County

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About CentrePort Canada

CentrePort Canada is a 20,000-acre inland port and Foreign Trade Zone. Located in the heart of North America, CentrePort connects to major national and international trade gateways and corridors, and is the only inland port in the country with direct access to tri-modal transportation – extensive truck, rail and air cargo operations. www.centreportcanada.ca

About the Global Transportation Hub Authority

The Global Transportation Hub Authority (GTH) is Saskatchewan's inland port and one of Canada's premier inland logistics hubs. Located in Regina, Saskatchewan, the GTH provides strategic access to rail, highway, and supply chain infrastructure that connects businesses to markets across North America and around the world. The GTH supports investment attraction, industrial development, and the efficient movement of goods, strengthening Saskatchewan's role in Canada's trade network.

About Port Alberta

Port Alberta helps businesses unlock new value from the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. In North America’s northernmost major inland port. Here, air, rail, pipelines and highways converge, giving Canadian and international companies a direct path to new markets, new customers and new revenue. For businesses ready to grow, a world of opportunity starts here.

About Prairie Economic Gateway

Prairie Economic Gateway is a regionally approved, shovel-ready collaboration between The City of Calgary and Rocky View County to enable rail-served industrial development and economic diversification in the Calgary region.

Gateway is envisioned as the centre of a future inland port supported by private sector investment. By extending trade infrastructure capacity beyond Canada’s congested seaports and into the Prairies, the project is intended to strengthen national supply chains, open new opportunities for industrial development, and support long-term economic growth in Alberta and across Canada.

Media Contacts

Rocky View County
Janine Workman
jworkman@rockyview.ca
403-371-8606

CentrePort Canada
Casey Challes
Cchalles@centreport.ca
204-979-1179

The Global Transportation Hub Authority Regina
media.sbp@gov.sk.ca
306-520-3607

Edmonton Airports
Erin Isfeld, Manager, Corporate Communications
eisfeld@flyyeg.com
+1 (587) 341-8190