The federal budget for 2022 has introduced environmental incentives, infrastructure spending and policy measures that will assist in dealing with supply chain stability.  Below are highlights that have been identified regarding some of those opportunities.

Highlights for environmental incentives for medium and heavy trucks include:

• $547.5 million over four years, starting in 2022-23, to Transport Canada to launch a new purchase incentive program for medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs (zero-emission vehicles);
• $33.8 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, with $42.1 million in remaining amortization, to Transport Canada to work with provinces and territories to develop and harmonize regulations and to conduct safety testing for long-haul zero-emission trucks;
• $199.6 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, and $0.4 million ongoing, to Natural Resources Canada to expand the Green Freight Assessment Program, which will be renamed the Green Freight Program. This will support assessments and retrofits of more vehicles and a greater diversity of fleet and vehicle types.

Highlights for the infrastructure & national supply chain summit include:

 $450 million over five years to support supply chain projects through the National Trade Corridors Fund;

• $136.3 million over five years to develop industry-driven solutions to use data to make our supply chains more efficient;
• These investments will also complement work with what the government is doing through the newly established National Supply Chain Task Force, which will work with industry, associations and experts to examine key pressures and make recommendations regarding short-and long-term actions to strengthen Canada’s supply chain. 

Highlights for Improving the Temporary Foreign Worker Program include:

•  $29 million over three years to introduce a Trusted Employer Model that reduces red tape for repeat employers who meet the highest standards for working and living conditions, protections, and wages in high demand fields. Further details on this program will be announced in the coming year.

 Highlights for paid sick leave include:

•  Amendments to the Act to Amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Labour Code (Bill C-3) to support timely and effective implementation of 10-days of paid medical leave for workers in the federally regulated private sector.  

To view the entire Budget 2022, visit the Government of Canada website.

Read BCTA’s March 7, 2022, Bulletin article: Province Announces COVID Recovery, Infrastructure, and Clean Transportation Funding in 2022 BC Budget