Saskatchewan-based Nutrien Ltd., the world's largest potash producer, is moving forward with controversial plans to build a $1-billion export terminal in Washington state rather than Canada, drawing criticism from the federal government while receiving support from economic experts.
Government Disappointment vs. Economic Reality
Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon has expressed significant disappointment with Nutrien's decision to build the new export facility at the Port of Longview in Washington. The minister confirmed he is actively trying to convince the company to reverse its decision and consider Canadian alternatives.
The timing is particularly sensitive as the Canadian government has been pushing for more built-in-Canada infrastructure projects. This move by one of Canada's largest resource companies represents a significant blow to the government's domestic investment agenda.
Economic Expert Defends Business Decision
Joel Bruneau, department head of economics at the University of Saskatchewan, offered a different perspective on the controversy. He argued that if transportation bottlenecks in Canada are impeding the free flow of Nutrien's products, the company has every right to seek more efficient alternatives.
"Carney wants, and we all want, more investment in Canada," Bruneau stated. "But if there's bottlenecks in that railway, and Nutrien is saying those bottlenecks are problematic, then surely we should get rid of the bottlenecks in our transportation system."
The economist emphasized that Canada needs additional port capacity that can accommodate major exporters like Nutrien, suggesting the solution lies in improving domestic infrastructure rather than criticizing corporate decisions made for business efficiency.
Nutrien's Justification and Timeline
Nutrien has clearly stated that current transportation options in Canada are not meeting the company's needs for growing global potash demand. The company specifically cited rail infrastructure bottlenecks in Metro Vancouver and ongoing labour disputes in Canada as significant factors disrupting its business operations.
The Washington location at the Port of Longview represents a more efficient route to key potash markets in China, Japan, and India. Despite the government's objections, Nutrien maintains it has "open lines of communication" with Canadian officials about the decision.
The company's timeline indicates that pending a final investment decision, plans for the Longview terminal will be finalized in 2027, with construction completion expected by 2031. The massive $1-billion investment represents one of the largest potash export infrastructure projects in recent years.
This decision follows comments made by Nutrien CEO Ken Seitz in May 2025, when he revealed executives were considering both Canadian and American ports for the terminal. At that time, he identified timelines and Canadian government regulations as key deciding factors.
The controversy comes despite recent government efforts to streamline regulatory processes. In June 2025, the government passed Bill C-5, the "One Canadian Economy Act," which introduced legislation intended to speed up nation-building projects and remove interprovincial trade barriers.
Nutrien's primary concern remains minimizing supply chain disruptions to maintain competitiveness in the increasingly competitive global potash marketplace, where efficiency and reliability can determine market share and profitability.
