Statistics Canada reports that the volume of cargo carried by Canadian railways reached 26.7 million tonnes in February, down 12.9% from February 2024, the steepest year-over-year decline in three years.
The Federal Agency notes that rail freight transport typically slows during the winter months as colder temperatures restrict train lengths. In addition, this February had 28 days, compared with 29 days in 2024. Moreover, the announcements of tariff impositions by the United States have introduced uncertainty into some markets.
Volume in February 2025 was at its lowest level since 2019 and below the five-year average of 28.2 million tonnes for the month. Sharp declines were reported in the loadings of many commodities, including iron ores, wheat and potash.
The decrease in total February freight was due to lower volumes across all types of rail operations: non-intermodal loadings (mainly commodities), intermodal loadings (mainly containers) and freight traffic from connections with American railways.
Non-intermodal rail operations in Canada fell 11.0% year over year to 21.4 million tonnes, with broad-based declines for many commodities.
Intermodal shipments – mainly containers – originating in Canada were down 10.5% year over year to 2.6 million tonnes.
Freight traffic from US rail connections fell 27.2% (or -1.0 million tonnes) to reach 2.7 million tonnes in February – the lowest level for the month of February in eight years.
