Funding Analysis: Transport Canada Trade Diversification Corridors Fund
Transport Canada Funding Opportunity
Transport Canada’s Trade Diversification Corridors Fund (TDCF) is a $5 billion federal program designed to strengthen Canada’s trade infrastructure, expand access to global markets, and help diversify export opportunities.
TDCF will help fund projects that:
- Expand trade and transportation infrastructure to help Canada reach global markets
- Address transportation bottlenecks that hinder economic growth
- Fix gaps in trade-related transportation infrastructure that hold back national or regional growth
Our port and rail advisory, economics, and grant specialists are ready to support and guide project sponsors seeking funding through the TDCF program.
Call for Proposals Now Open
Stream 1- Strengthening Canada’s Core Trade Corridors through a Systems-Based Approach (Invitation-Based)
- Application deadline: June 26, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET
Stream 2 - Unlocking New Opportunities and Connectivity through Collaborative Trade Corridor Solutions (Targeted Call)
- Application deadline: July 31, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET
Stream 3 - Supporting Regional Growth (Open Call)
- Application deadline: September 25, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET
What You Need to Know
In March 2026, the Government of Canada launched the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund to strengthen national trade‑enabling infrastructure, improve connectivity, and unlock new opportunities for Canadian exporters. The core trade corridors are the Pacific, Prairies, Central, and Atlantic.
Transport Canada will deliver this funding in partnership with other government departments or agencies, including the Canada Infrastructure Bank. Funding could be provided as repayable or non-repayable contributions, depending on the project, and may be a combination.
We see this as an opportunity for clients with projects in motion or shelved projects needing a boost, noting that TC’s preference may be given to projects that are shovel-ready and ready to commence without delay after the signing of the Contribution Agreement.
TC's maximum contribution will be up to 50% of the total eligible expenditures for a project, except for P3 projects (up to 33%) and Arctic and northern projects (up to 75%).
Are You Ready?
Our specialists have closely analyzed this funding opportunity and bring deep experience advancing transportation projects that align with this funding, including critical mineral mining, processing, and transportation projects.
With expertise spanning Class I and first-mile/last-mile rail connectors, ports, inland intermodal terminals, aviation, and highway systems, we support clients in shaping integrated, multimodal solutions.
Our team works collaboratively with clients to define strategy, establish clear direction and network concepts, and articulate project benefits against evaluation criteria, and work on developing compelling, evidence-based narratives supported by strategic communications, GIS, and economic impact analysis.
Our success speaks for itself — we helped clients receive over $500 million in funding through the National Trade Corridor Fund.
We also advises on partnership models and leverages longstanding relationships with Transport Canada, provincial transportation ministries, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank, backed by decades of demonstrated success, to help position projects for funding and successful delivery.
Aligned Funding Opportunities
The Trade Diversification Corridors Fund is the current initiative by Transport Canada to facilitate the development of transportation infrastructure to facilitate the movement of goods to international markets. This program is a more focused version of past programs, such as the National Trade Corridors Fund.
The TDCF, alongside the Arctic Infrastructure Fund and programs such as the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund and the First and Last Mile Fund provide new opportunities for project proponents to fund and advance projects.
These funding opportunities, coupled with potential financing support from entities such as the Canada Infrastructure Bank and/or Export Development Canada, provide a generational opportunity to develop critical trade-focused transportation infrastructure.
