Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon delivered a significant address to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, emphasizing Alberta's pivotal role in strengthening Canada's trade networks both domestically and internationally. The minister's remarks came during what he described as a critical moment for the nation's economic future.
Alberta as a Strategic Economic Asset
MacKinnon positioned Alberta not merely as an economic contributor but as a strategic asset in Canada's trade portfolio. "In a world hungry for secure, democratic energy, food and materials, Alberta is not just an economic asset, it is a strategic one," he declared. The minister specifically highlighted Calgary as "one of the key engines of Canada's trade" due to its dual role in exporting Alberta's agricultural and energy products while serving as a major transportation and logistics hub.
The minister stressed that developments in Alberta have national implications, stating "What happens here matters nationally and has a real impact on Canada's global standing as a reliable trading partner." He emphasized the federal government's commitment to unlocking Alberta's full economic potential through strategic investments and policy support.
Addressing Global Economic Challenges
MacKinnon framed his remarks within the context of significant global economic shifts, noting that Canada finds itself in what he termed a "trade war" and a "rupture in the old world order." He explained that these changes are fundamentally reshaping how nations conduct business, forcing Canada to diversify beyond its traditional reliance on any single market or country.
The minister acknowledged that Canada has fallen behind international competitors in several key areas, including infrastructure development, labor predictability, and digital transformation. "We've let some of this slip," MacKinnon admitted, "whether it be our infrastructure, whether it be some of the labour predictability issues, whether it be on the digitization front — we've slipped behind the competition."
Building Competitive Systems
To address these challenges, MacKinnon outlined a comprehensive approach focused on creating more efficient systems for moving goods. "If Canada is going to compete in a more fragmented and volatile global economy," he stated, "then we need systems that move goods faster, cheaper and more reliably: railways, energy corridors, inland ports, digital infrastructure and the skilled workforce that keeps them running when those systems break down."
The minister emphasized that doubling Canada's non-U.S. trade requires serious commitment to these infrastructure improvements. He expressed confidence that Alberta's provincial government would support these initiatives, noting that the ultimate goal is "lifting up Alberta business, lifting up Alberta ingenuity, and making it easier for Alberta to reach markets elsewhere."
Unleashing Economic Potential
MacKinnon articulated a vision of enabling Alberta to become an even larger economic contributor than it currently represents. "We think it is vitally important that we enable Alberta to be a larger economic contributor than it even is today," he explained. The minister spoke of unleashing the province's creative and commercial spirit to demonstrate Canadian leadership on the global stage.
The address reinforced the federal government's recognition of Alberta's central position in Canada's economic strategy. MacKinnon's message centered on collaboration between federal and provincial governments to enhance Alberta's capacity as a trading powerhouse, ultimately strengthening Canada's position in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.
