Canada’s trade corridors are essential to a resilient economy, strong communities and long‑term prosperity. As global markets shift and demand grows across a wide range of Canadian commodities, the Government of Canada is taking action to strengthen national trade‑enabling infrastructure, improve connectivity and unlock new opportunities for Canadian exporters.
On March 3, 2026, Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, announced the launch of the calls for proposals for both the $5 billion Trade Diversification Corridors Fund and the $1 billion Arctic Infrastructure Fund.
Trade Diversification Corridors Fund: Call for proposals now open
The national program will strengthen trade‑enabling transportation infrastructure and help double non-U.S. exports. The program will strengthen supply chain capacity, relieve congestion and address infrastructure gaps that limit Canada’s ability to reach global markets beyond the U.S. The Canadian Government will make strategic investments from submitted proposals that align with the following objectives:
- Increase corridors’ systems-based trade and transportation infrastructure capacity to support the diversification of Canada’s international trade, including trade with global markets beyond the U.S.
- Address costly congestion that is hindering Canada’s economic growth.
- Address trade-enabling transportation infrastructure gaps that are impeding national or regional growth.
The Trade Diversification Corridors Fund features three funding streams, all of which are now open.
Stream 1: Strengthening Canada’s core trade corridors through a systems-based approach (invitation‑based)
Targets high-impact projects that diversify trade through Canada’s core trade corridors. It will use a systems-based approach that targets opportunities to advance bundles of projects as an integrated package to maximize trade diversification benefits.
Stream 2: Unlocking opportunities and connectivity through collaborative trade corridor solutions (targeted call)
Targets collaborative, multi-stakeholder solutions to resolve specific issues that are inhibiting Canada’s ability to grow and diversify trade through key trade corridors. Applicants will be invited to submit proposals to address one or more of the following issues:
- Enhancing intermodal capacity to increase trade with non-U.S. markets, including through inland ports.
- Optimizing existing transportation assets to enable trade diversification to the core trade corridors to support overseas exports.
- Increasing transportation capacity for bulk commodity exports.
Stream 3: Supporting regional growth (open call)
Targets projects that address trade-enabling transportation infrastructure gaps that are impeding regional growth.
Arctic Infrastructure Fund: Call for proposals now open
The launch of the Arctic Infrastructure Fund call for proposals marks the next step in advancing strategic northern transportation projects. Eligible partners, including Arctic and northern communities, territorial and Indigenous governments and organizations, and industry, are invited to submit proposals for infrastructure initiatives that will:
- Strengthen defence readiness and Canada’s ability to operate in the Arctic.
- Improve transportation links that enable economic development and access to domestic and global markets.
- Enhance community connectivity and access to essential goods, services and emergency response.
- Advance Indigenous reconciliation, including recognizing that First Nations, Inuit and Métis are best placed to identify their community needs.
The Arctic Infrastructure Fund features two funding streams, both now open.
Stream 1: Dual‑use transportation infrastructure that supports defence and community/civilian requirements in the Arctic (invitation‑based)
Supports large-scale, defence and civilian‑serving projects that support two or more of the Arctic Infrastructure Fund objectives and that advance key transportation corridors to close longstanding northern transportation gaps, which will improve regional connectivity, promote economic development and bolster defence operational readiness in the Arctic and Northern Canada.
Stream 2: Investing in industry and community‑led transportation infrastructure with dual-use benefits (open call)
Supports community or industry-led projects that promote Indigenous reconciliation, align with at least two other program objectives and aim to improve regional connectivity, strengthen supply chains, enhance safety and support defence needs. Projects may serve as vital links to larger corridor developments.
Eligible projects must be in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, Que., or Nunatsiavut, N.L.
Both programs will use a mix of non‑repayable, conditionally repayable and unconditionally repayable contributions to stretch federal dollars further and leverage financing opportunities, including collaboration with the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Full program criteria, application guidance and timelines are available on Transport Canada’s website.