AGP Executive Report

Fuel & Supply Chains: Diesel prices were up 75% year over year in August, and economists warn higher trucking and shipping costs could lift grocery prices as Canada relies more on imported food this winter. Airport Policy: Ottawa plans to open the country’s four largest airports to private investment. Airlines warn the move could raise traveller fees, while the transport minister has pledged moderation. Rail & Trade: A bumper grain crop boosted North Vancouver port exports, but Prairie shippers remain dependent on ports and routes they don’t control; intermodal rail volumes are also rising. Aviation Safety: The FAA is investigating after a Delta jet struck an Air Canada aircraft from Toronto at Los Angeles airport. No injuries were reported. Transit Investment: Winnipeg’s bus rapid-transit expansion remains stalled, with no new corridor approved and the network’s modest buildout projected to take until at least 2045.

Airport Investment: Ottawa says long-term private leases at Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary airports will include contractual fee moderation. Airlines want pricing rules before bids, warning that unchecked privatization can drive up charges; the form of any caps remains unsettled. Freight & Ports: A bumper grain crop boosted export volumes at North Vancouver, while CPKC reported grain-transport records, highlighting the demands on Canada’s freight network. Rail Plans: Ottawa and Alberta are advancing high-speed rail work, but the Toronto–Quebec City project could cost as much as $113 billion. A decision on a proposed Kingston stop is not expected until 2027. Air Links: Canada’s expanded air agreement with Côte d’Ivoire allows up to 14 weekly passenger-and-cargo flights for each country.

Airport Investment: Ottawa’s plan to bring private operators into Canada’s four largest airports is drawing affordability concerns; the airline industry warns higher airport fees could reach travellers. Transport Leadership: Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced new leadership appointments at VIA Rail and CATSA. Aviation Safety: The FAA is investigating after a Delta jet clipped an Air Canada aircraft at Los Angeles International Airport; no injuries were reported. Canada will lead the investigation into a Hamilton-based air ambulance crash off Nantucket that left six people presumed dead. Cargo and Connectivity: A bumper grain crop boosted export volumes at North Vancouver port, while Canada’s expanded air agreement with Côte d’Ivoire allows up to 14 weekly passenger-cargo flights per country. Rail: The Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates Canada’s proposed high-speed rail project could cost up to $113 billion.

Aviation Safety: A Delta jet clipped the tail of an Air Canada aircraft from Toronto at LAX while the Air Canada plane was being towed. No injuries were reported; the FAA is investigating. Canada will lead the probe into the Nantucket air-ambulance crash, with six people—including four Canadians—presumed dead after the search was suspended. Air Connections: Porter and Air Creebec will link regional destinations in Quebec and Northern Ontario with Porter’s wider network. A new Canada–Côte d’Ivoire air agreement also allows each country up to 14 weekly passenger-cargo flights. Rail & Freight: CN set a quarterly grain-movement record, while a federal estimate puts Toronto–Quebec City high-speed rail at $75 billion to $113 billion. Fuel Costs: MPs rejected a Conservative motion for further diesel relief; the federal fuel excise-tax pause, which includes diesel, is already extended into 2027.

Aviation Safety: FAA is investigating after Delta and Air Canada planes collided on the LAX tarmac, with multiple reports of “clipped” aircraft and no injuries reported. Medical Transport: The U.S. Coast Guard identified six people aboard a Gulfstream G100 that vanished off Nantucket while flying Bermuda to Boston—four Canadians among them—after suspending the search. Maritime Outlook: New analysis projects Salish Sea ocean-going traffic could rise to 13,924 transits in 2026 (up 16.6%), driven in part by a sharp increase in tanker traffic to Canadian ports. Healthcare Capacity: Newfoundland and Labrador MRI plans are drawing concern from MRI technologists over staffing and waitlist pressure as new equipment is promised. Nuclear Research: Polytechnique Montréal marks 50 years of its Slowpoke reactor, aiming to revive nuclear science expertise in Quebec. Air Cargo Demand: Transpacific air cargo demand is outpacing capacity, keeping pressure on space for high-value shipments.

Aviation Incident: An Air Canada Boeing 777 was damaged after a Delta Airbus A350 “clipped” it at LAX, with both airlines reporting no injuries and the aircraft taken out of service for inspection. Air Safety & Fire Prevention: Regina airport is reminding travellers during Fire Prevention Week about safe charging of lithium-ion batteries, warning that improper charging or damaged batteries can spark fires. Trade & Supply Chain: Canada’s exports to the U.S. jumped 8.1% in August ahead of new 50% U.S. tariffs, helping widen the Canada-U.S. trade surplus to $11.2B as imports fell. Rail/Infrastructure: Timmins council is moving through a winter-operations and traffic-control agenda, while Halifax residents are pushing for more routes after an emergency exit is planned for Westwood Hills following the 2023 wildfire evacuation. Logistics/Business: Prince George Airport welcomed Executive Flight Centre as its new fixed-base operator, expanding passenger, crew, ground handling and cargo services. Cross-Border Disruption: U.S. authorities upheld a conviction in a Manitoba-linked human smuggling case tied to a family’s deaths.

Quebec Politics & National Unity: The separatist Parti Québécois won Quebec’s election but fell short of a majority, setting up a minority government and raising the odds of another independence referendum—complicating Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push for a united front amid Trump-era tariffs. Aviation Safety/Rescue: The U.S. Coast Guard identified all six aboard a Canadian-owned air ambulance that went down off Nantucket after electrical trouble was reported; the investigation continues with condolences extended to families. Air Cargo & Perishables: Air Canada Cargo helped move one metric tonne of Philippine Carabao mangoes from Manila to Vancouver, clearing customs smoothly and pointing to the value of reliable cold-chain air links. Trade & Logistics Infrastructure: Avondale Global Gateway launched a new aluminum trade route tied to a Venezuela-to-U.S. supply deal, highlighting how port capacity and cross-border trade terms shape industrial inputs. Rail Tech Deal: Vingroup and Alstom signed an agreement for Hanoi’s next-generation urban rail, including technology transfer and 200 Metropolis trainsets. Maritime/Arctic Supply Chain: Port of Corner Brook, LOGISTEC and NEAS strengthened Canada’s Arctic supply chain resiliency with a new Arctic liner service.

Highway Expansion: Ontario awarded a detailed design contract to widen Highway 400 from six to 10 lanes between Highway 9 and the future Bradford Bypass, aiming to cut gridlock and keep a key trade corridor moving in the GTA. Energy & Jobs: Saskatchewan is pushing ahead with large-scale nuclear planning, targeting 2,600 MW by 2050, with industry and suppliers pointing to major long-term work for engineering, construction, manufacturing and transportation. Parliament & Labour: MPs sparred over Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, as the government pitches faster federal project decisions and “national interest” zones while Conservatives question whether it truly speeds delivery. Pipeline Watch: Carney outlined next steps for Pacific Link after it was designated a Project of National Interest, with first oil now pegged to 2032 at the earliest—raising pressure on existing Pacific capacity. Logistics Deal: CMA CGM closed its $1.4B purchase of FedEx Supply Chain, expanding CEVA’s North American warehouse footprint and boosting automation plans across Canada and the U.S. Air Travel Cuts: Air Canada confirmed it will not resume several long-haul routes in 2027, including Calgary–Delhi and Toronto–Mumbai. Maritime Safety: The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for six aboard an Ontario air ambulance missing near Nantucket after finding a debris field. Food Distribution Funding: Ottawa launched a $1B Food-Link Fund to expand food terminals and regional hubs, including cold storage and transport links.

Aviation Tragedy: The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for six people aboard a Canadian-registered medical jet (Latitude Air Ambulance) that vanished off Nantucket after a debris field was found; officials say four Canadians and two Bermudians are presumed dead. Parliament & Procurement: MPs return to debate Bill C-39, a 243-page economic and labour package that would set a one-year timeline for federal project decisions, create “national interest” zones, and adjust when the jobs minister can intervene in labour disputes. Payments Infrastructure: Payments Canada approved six new members—Bounce Pay, FIS Everlink, Nium, Pesa, Remitly, and Vancity—expanding access to its systems under the updated Payments Act and the Retail Payment Activities Act. Air Cargo/Security: A trial is set to begin in Brampton for a man accused in the 2023 Pearson airport gold heist, involving thousands of gold bars shipped in the hull of an Air Canada flight. Energy & Power Demand: Hydro-Québec faces scrutiny over new rules for large data centres as electricity-rate changes raise concerns for future growth. Logistics & Trade: Canada’s Pacific Link oil pipeline is advanced as a “project of national interest,” tied to West Coast expansion plans amid ongoing trade-war fallout.

Aviation Safety/Rescue: The U.S. Coast Guard is still searching for six people after a Canadian-registered Latitude Air Ambulance Gulfstream G100 vanished on a Bermuda-to-Boston flight; a debris field tied to the aircraft was found off Nantucket, with officials saying the priority remains locating the missing four Canadians and two Bermudians while sonar work is planned for the seabed. Public Transit Safety: Montreal’s transit agency is investigating after a man in his 40s died after falling onto Lionel-Groulx metro tracks; police say it appears accidental with no criminal element. Logistics/Mining: PMET signed a letter of intent with the City of Matagami to support spodumene concentrate transshipment, shifting material from trucks to rail for onward port movement ahead of a final investment decision. Waste & Recycling: University of Regina researchers say Canada’s recycling system loses efficiency at specific stages, aiming to help governments target the real bottlenecks instead of guessing. Tech Infrastructure: Bell AI Fabric construction is advancing in Saskatchewan, with structural steel up and a first data hall targeted to come online in the first half of 2027.

Aviation Emergency (Canada-linked): Search-and-rescue teams off Nantucket, Mass. have found a debris field tied to a Canadian-registered Gulfstream G100 air ambulance (Latitude Air Ambulance, Hamilton) that vanished on a Bermuda-to-Boston flight with six people aboard, including four Canadians; the U.S. Coast Guard says next of kin were notified and crews keep searching after the FAA reported lost contact amid storm-related concerns and reported electrical issues. Security & Tech: A new roundup of “frontier AI” incidents suggests tens of thousands of problematic security events across major vendors, raising alarms for security leaders about how widespread and complex model misuse can be. Transit & Mobility (Canada): Bike Windsor Essex is backing a Windsor mayoral candidate’s plan to connect cycling corridors to make bike travel safer and more practical for commuting and errands. Public Policy (Canada): Canada’s PM Carney announced a push for an AI council aimed at guiding adoption, safety and sovereignty—positioning AI governance as a transportation-and-tech readiness issue.

Aviation Emergency: The U.S. Coast Guard is searching off Nantucket for a missing medical evacuation Gulfstream G100 (tail C-GRJP) en route from Bermuda to Boston with six aboard, operated by Canada-based Latitude Air Ambulance; FAA issued a search-and-rescue alert after contact was lost early Saturday, with air and surface crews deployed. Rail & Road Safety: RCMP in rural Saskatchewan report three deaths after a truck trying to pass a semi collided with an SUV near Foam Lake, with a U.S. man facing charges. Infrastructure Cost Pressure: Canada’s high-speed rail plan faces fresh scrutiny after the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimate put potential Alto costs as high as $113B, prompting calls to scrap the project. Urban Mobility Enforcement: Vancouver Police say most e-scooter riders break rules, citing helmet non-use and issuing tickets during a month-long safety campaign. Energy & Geopolitics: A Houthi attack on Saudi Aramco’s Riyadh refinery is stoking fears of higher global oil prices. Labour Impact: Nearly 1,400 workers were laid off at a Navistar truck plant in Ohio just days before a Trump rally, underscoring pressure on North American trucking supply chains and jobs.

EV investment shake-up: Canada’s EV bet is facing delays and cancellations, including Volkswagen’s PowerCo battery plant in St. Thomas, Ont., pushed to 2029 as demand evolves. Aviation & enforcement: Canada has faced criticism for allowing Netanyahu to fly over its airspace despite an international arrest warrant, with the government’s rationale shifting as European states debate obligations. Marine safety: The TSB says a tug-barge-workboat collision at Squamish Harbor, B.C., stemmed from gaps in situational awareness and poor communication near the Woodfibre LNG project. Energy & logistics policy: G7 nations plan to release about 100 million barrels of diesel and refined products to cool fuel prices, with diesel a key focus. Labour & mobility: McKinsey projects AI and automation will cut demand for about 36M U.S. jobs by 2035, while creating about 41M elsewhere—raising major retraining and career-switch needs. Local road impacts: Ladysmith, B.C. warns of Oct. 6-7 lane closures on the Trans-Canada Highway for annual median maintenance.

Wastewater Infrastructure: Moose Jaw, Sask., broke ground on a $73-million Crescent View Headworks Facility to replace a 1961 lift station, cut flood risk and support growth to 45,000 residents, with construction running through 2029. Road & Bridge Works: Saskatchewan’s highways ministry flagged active construction including Smoothstone River bridge replacement, Danielson Provincial Park paving and culvert work near Muenster and Wadena, with traffic impacts expected. Aviation & Supply Chain: Reuters reports WestJet pilots found a Boeing 737 MAX flight-computer software anomaly in 2024; the FAA later deemed it safe after a corrective action review. Cross-Border Trade/Customs: U.S. Customs and Border Protection is tightening enforcement on Canadian prescription drug imports, requiring certain higher-value shipments to be declared before entry starting Oct. 22. Energy & Fuel Prices: G7 leaders agreed to release up to 100 million barrels of diesel and crude from reserves over four months, prioritizing diesel to ease soaring prices. Public Safety (Transport): Two people were injured in a gas plant fire east of Calgary; crews evacuated the area as the blaze was brought under control.

High-Speed Rail Watch: Canada’s Alto Toronto–Quebec City project faces a major cost reality check, with the Parliamentary Budget Officer warning construction could land between $75B and $113B—above Ottawa’s earlier range—driven by big risks like a Montreal tunnel and potential schedule slippage. Oil & Freight Costs: The U.S. is weighing a 90-day diesel export ban, a move that could tighten supply and push up prices—raising costs for Canadian trucking, agriculture, and aviation that depend on diesel-heavy logistics. Canadian Rail Manufacturing: Alstom’s Quebec train factory in La Pocatière is expanding and hiring as new orders roll in, including work for SkyTrain, TTC subway cars, and upcoming VIA Rail long-distance passenger cars. Trade Tensions at the Border: A new U.S. import ban on Canadian goods (including alcohol and motorcycles) adds pressure to cross-border supply chains as tariffs and restrictions escalate. Aviation Safety & Data: Questions are swirling around Flydubai Flight FZ1073 after a Canadian pilot challenged reported descent and speed figures, underscoring how crucial flight data is for understanding incidents. Port/Steel Disruption: Algoma Steel expects a sharp third-quarter shipment drop after an unplanned outage, with power restored and production ramping back up.

Pipeline & Energy Policy: Prime Minister Mark Carney says federal support for Alberta’s West Coast oil pipeline shows “Canada is working,” as the Pacific Link project is fast-tracked as a project of national interest amid Indigenous land and consultation timelines. Aviation & Safety: The FAA will convene a Corrective Action Review Board on Oct. 2 after a newly disclosed Boeing 737 MAX software issue could affect automated guidance in a missed-approach scenario, with certification impacts already felt for the 737 MAX 10. Supply Chain & Warehousing: CMA CGM has completed its $1.4B acquisition of FedEx Supply Chain, boosting CEVA’s North American contract logistics footprint with added warehouse space and staff, plus multiyear air and ocean freight agreements. Competition Watch: Canada’s Competition Bureau is investigating minimum advertised pricing in grocery, probing whether it blocks retailers from advertising lower in-store deals and reduces price competition. Transit Updates: Orangeville Transit will roll out three new buses Oct. 8 and add stops on its Orange route, upgrading accessibility and rider information. Rail Safety: RCMP reports a train-truck collision in Maple Ridge, B.C., with one dead and another critically injured. Aviation Culture: A FlyDubai passenger credited Toronto-made “Mayday” for helping him respond during a mid-air stabbing incident.