ST. LAMBERT, QUEBEC, CANADA — Canada officials marked the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway on April 2. With more than C$20 million of Canadian cargo transiting each day, the seaway is a major contributor to the regional economy of the Great Lakes as well as the North American economy as a whole.

The government said it is investing in the St. Lawrence Seaway so that it continues to meet the evolving needs of global markets and industry. It has pledged more than C$4 billion to projects in Quebec and Ontario to help create competitive transportation systems that support Canada's trade initiatives and will help ensure that the St. Lawrence Seaway continues to be a vital component of Canada's transportation system.

In St. Lambert in 1959, Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower formally opened the Seaway on behalf of Canada and the U.S.

Last year, some 12 million tonnes of grain moved through the Seaway — the highest volume since the turn of the 21st century.

"We should be very proud of the tremendous economic asset that the St. Lawrence Seaway is for our country. That is why the Government of Canada will continue to invest in the Seaway to help us build and maintain a strong, competitive, safe and secure marine transportation system for Canada," said Lisa Raitt, Canada’s minister of transport.