Alberta minister calls for federal action on economic corridors to boost national competitiveness

Alberta's Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen, has called on the federal government to prioritize investments in interprovincial mega-infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing Canada's economic competitiveness.

Dreeshen issued an open letter to federal Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Anita Anand, urging immediate action to advance key infrastructure projects that would help Canada remain competitive on the global stage.

In the letter, Dreeshen highlighted the country’s struggle to complete major national infrastructure projects, similar to the Canadian Pacific Railway or the Trans-Canada Highway.

He stressed the importance of revitalizing the country’s productivity and economic strength, particularly with the looming uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs.

“Canada needs to take bold action to ensure we are not solely reliant on north-south trade but also build east-to-west corridors for economic growth,” Dreeshen said.

While the federal government has not yet stepped up, Alberta has taken proactive steps, forming collaborations with neighboring provinces and territories to advance economic corridors.

In April 2023, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba signed an agreement to jointly develop trade infrastructure, boosting economic activity across the Prairies. Additionally, Alberta partnered with the Northwest Territories in July 2024 to establish another agreement aimed at improving regional trade networks.

Dreeshen emphasized the importance of these partnerships in reducing regulatory delays and attracting investment but also noted that such efforts would not be enough without federal support.

"The federal government must play its part to help advance these vital economic corridors," he said. "It’s time for immediate action to ensure Canada remains economically viable for generations to come."

To expedite progress, Dreeshen proposed the creation of a federal/provincial/territorial working group.

This group would focus on developing a shared strategy to address Canada's economic challenges and identify the necessary trade-enabling infrastructure.

Dreeshen concluded by calling for a new approach to infrastructure development that ensures long-term prosperity and a high quality of life for all Canadians.