Transport Canada and SLSMC modernize the Seaway’s management agreement

The Government of Canada has renewed its agreement with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) to have the not-for-profit organization continue to manage, maintain and operate the Seaway.

In the updated agreement, the SLSMC continues the responsibilities it assumed in 1998 to maintain a safe, secure and efficient transportation channel that fosters economic development with fluent and resilient supply chains. The agreement further calls for increasing governance mechanisms to increase transparency which will be done through new committees with SLSMC and Transport Canada representation.

The SLSMC will also seek to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples and local communities by establishing committees that involve their representation.

Improved climate change responsiveness and accountability will be achieved with the SLSMC publishing an annual plan and report on its actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

The new agreement puts the SLSMC in charge of the Canadian side of an essential trade corridor for key bulk commodities in Canada and the United States that last year facilitated nearly 38 million tonnes of cargo.