Key Industries
Transportation & Distribution
Winnipeg is a transportation powerhouse and a vital hub for the Canadian Prairies. The city is home to one of the largest tri-modal inland port in North America and the only one in Canada offering foreign trade zone (FTZ) advantages.
Strategically located in the geographic centre of North America and the Mid-Continent Trade Corridor, Winnipeg is just 112 km (70 miles) from the U.S. border, providing access to a population of 100 million within a 24-hour drive.
Winnipeg is a tri-modal logistics hub
- Rail: The only major city between Thunder Bay and Vancouver with direct rail connections to the U.S. via three Class 1 carriers: CN, CP and BNSF. Manitoba is a key hub for CN’s transcontinental rail network, featuring critical facilities like the Symington classification yard and CN’s Claude Mongeau National Training Centre.
- Truck: Headquarters for two of Canada’s top 10 inter-provincial trucking companies, Winnipeg is just a one-hour drive from the busiest U.S. border crossing in Western Canada, with standard wait times of 10 minutes or less.
- Air: Home to Canada’s second-largest cargo freighter airport per capita, Winnipeg’s 24/7 all-weather international airport operates with no slot restrictions and offers quick access to downtown in under 20 minutes.
Discover why Winnipeg is the ideal hub for your transportation and distribution needs.
Winnipeg offers numerous advantages for businesses
Affordable industrial space
Clean and affordable electricity
Central and prime location
Winnipeg Success Stories

CentrePort Canada Rail Park
CentrePort Canada Rail Park is a premier logistics hub spanning 665 acres. This strategically positioned rail park provides fully serviced, shovel-ready industrial lots, making it an ideal location for companies looking to optimize their regional and international transportation and logistics operations.

Winnipeg Richardson International Airport
The upcoming 142,500-square-foot Multi-Tenant Air Cargo Logistics Facility is set to significantly enhance operational efficiency. Once completed, it will position freight partners closer to planes with a dedicated apron, streamlining the quick distribution and resupply of time-sensitive goods. The facility will also offer expanded space for cold storage, air cargo and aircraft—further supporting the airport’s logistics capabilities.

Bison Transport
Founded in Winnipeg in 1969, Bison has evolved from a small local trucking company into a North American leader in freight transportation. With a fleet of over 2,500 trucks and 9,000 trailers, Bison is renowned for its innovative solutions, commitment to safety, and dedication to environmental sustainability.

TransX
Founded in 1963 in Winnipeg, TransX has grown into one of Canada’s largest and most reliable transportation companies, offering innovative logistics solutions across the continent. TransX has expanded to become a full-service transportation provider with more than 3,000 employees, 1,500 trucks and a range of logistics services that include intermodal, truckload and specialized solutions.

Parian Logistics
Parian Logistics, an affiliate of Stern Partners, made a significant investment in Winnipeg by acquiring a 427,000-square-foot office and distribution centre in the city.
Fast Facts
-
$6.91B
Total transportation and distribution GDP
(Manitoba, 2022) -
47,943
Transportation and distribution employees
(Manitoba, 2023) -
3,308
Transportation and distribution companies
(Winnipeg, 2023) -
2 of the 10
largest for-hire trucking companies in Canada are headquartered in Manitoba
Research and Development
Asper School of Business Transport Institute (University of Manitoba)
Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre (RRC Polytech)
Transportation Management Centre (City of Winnipeg)
MotiveLab (RRC Polytech)
Key Network

Centreport Canada
Parked at the intersection of key trade and transportation corridors heading in all directions, Winnipeg is home to CentrePort Canada. The only trimodal inland port in the country to provide foreign trade zone advantages, this 20,000-acre initiative expedites the movement of goods economically and efficiently to North American, Asian and European markets. Take a video tour of CentrePort Canada's 20,000-acre transportation hub, business parks and investible properties.

Manitoba Trucking Association
The Manitoba Trucking Association is an advocacy group working on behalf of the trucking industry. Since 1932, it has worked to develop and maintain a safe and healthy business environment for its members.

Supply Chain Manitoba
Supply Chain Manitoba is a member of the Province of Manitoba Sector Council Program representing Transportation & Logistics, which dedicates to supporting individuals and organizations, to optimize their supply chains. It serves all aspects of the end-to-end supply chain, including sourcing, procurement, transportation, and warehousing.
Key Companies
Economic Development Winnipeg
Suite 810, One Lombard Place
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada R3B 0X3