STRENGTHENING ALL LINKS: BUILDING MORE RESILIENT, FLUID SUPPLY CHAINS IN CANADA 

Posted on May 1, 2023

The RAC has produced a new report that sheds light on the complex global supply chains. Titled “Strengthening All Links: Building More Resilient, Fluid Supply Chains in Canada,” the report provides evidence-based insights into two critical supply chains that are essential for Canadian businesses, governments, and consumers.  

The report will help deepen understanding of the diverse supply chain players and factors affecting timing and variability for government officials and the public. 

As Jonathan Thibault explains in the video below, the report’s first case study examines the import of containerized consumer goods from Asia with an overview of the transportation supply chain from the Port of Shanghai to retail shelves in Ontario and Quebec. The analysis includes statistics on variability and average monthly times for each link in the transportation supply chain.  

The second case study illustrates the export of western Canadian grain, tracking its journey from a Prairie elevator in Saskatchewan to Chinese ports. In this case, the analysis shows that the end-to-end transit time averaged 41.9 days, with 17% of the time spent loading vessels in Vancouver and 58% on marine transit across the Pacific. 

Over the past three years, global supply chains’ performance has been put to the test in unprecedent ways. The pandemic caused a wide range of supply chain disruptions and highlighted the importance of understanding the complexities of global supply chains.   

For instance: 

Consumer goods experienced a two-week delay during the pandemic; however, it is worth noting that 99% of these delays occurred mainly before the goods were loaded onto a train in Vancouver. This underscores the need for a holistic analysis of supply chain performance. While Vancouver is an essential link in the transportation supply chain, it is only one part of a broader system. Understanding the complexities of supply chains’ performance is crucial to mitigate future disruptions and to inform practical, workable solutions.  

Overall, this report provides valuable insights into the complex supply chains that are crucial to the Canadian economy. By understanding how these supply chains work and what affects their performance; businesses, governments, and consumers can better navigate future disruptions.  

Watch Jonathan’s video below for more and check out the full report here. 

About the Railway Association of Canada 
The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) represents close to 60 freight and passenger railway companies that transport tens of millions of passengers and approximately $350 billion worth of goods in Canada each year. RAC advocates on behalf of its members and associate members to ensure that the rail sector remains globally competitive, sustainable and, most importantly, safe. Learn more at www.railcan.ca. 

Data Contact: 
Jonathan Thibault 
Manager, Economics, Data and Research 
JThibault@railcan.ca 

Media Contact: 
Chris Day 
CDay@railcan.ca