September 29, 2026

While I think we are a long way from celebrating how fast we can approve new projects and get them done in Canada, it was exciting for me to see that the people behind the VoltSafe Intelligent Shore Power Solution have successfully completed and passed all the required safety certification testing applicable to CSA and UL standards, opening the door to full scale commercial development and international marketing. It’s a nice win for the home team but, it’s taken years.

Prime Minister Carney has repeatedly promised new Canadian project approvals and build-outs at record speed, but there are many groups in Canada who are saying “not so fast”. Some unions see these new moves as cutting into their collective bargaining power. Carney had appointed a former business associate from the private sector to take charge of moving government projects ahead quickly and that person recently resigned after little more than a year in the job. I assume he was frustrated.

As a Canadian, descended from ancestors who were here from the 1700s, I absolutely believe in our country, the rich resources we are privileged to enjoy and it’s my personal belief that we will develop those resources with thoughtful consideration and our children’s future in mind.

But let’s go!

After years of watching and seeing little progress, against a backdrop of ever-rising taxes and government debt, we need action now!

Canadians are considered to be the best-educated population on earth and Canadians have excelled at almost any task you could name yet, we seem to have been hamstrung by our own political system and the many pockets of resisting self-interest. You may be sensing that I am frustrated, particularly at this time when we need to move forward decisively as a country.

It looks to me like our Prime Minister is pushing hard to do just that and this is no time to slow him down.

Taking a page from Carney’s thinking, have you ever attended Metstrade in Europe? I have not, but I think we really need leaders from our industry to go there this November 17 to 19, 2026 to see what is there and what opportunities there may be there to sell Canadian marine products to the global markets.

I will be at IBEX in a few days, searching for the latest and greatest new products and processes, but I hope I see other Canadians there looking for ways to boost their businesses. That’s certainly good, and I am sure I will see our friends from VoltSafe there again this year but are there business opportunities at Metstrade in Amsterdam that could benefit our Canadian marine industry?

I think so, from everything I have heard, and this year is the year to open our eyes to opportunities.

Andy Adams – Editor