The volume of international rail freight transport in Canada showed a notable trend from 2013 to 2023, with fluctuations in annual growth. Peak value occurred in 2018 at 146.6 billion tonne-kilometers, followed by a downward adjustment, settling at 132.47 billion tonne-kilometers by 2023. The last two years saw minor increases: 0.6% in 2023 and a slight dip of 0.037% in 2022, indicating a near-stagnant trend. However, the five-year CAGR leading to 2023 was -2.01%, reflecting a general decline. From 2024 onwards, forecasts suggest modest, steady growth, with a five-year CAGR of 0.45% and a forecasted incremental growth rate of 2.26% by 2028.

Future trends to watch for include:

Potential impacts of trade agreements and changing economic conditions on rail freight volume.
Technological advancements in rail transport efficiency and capacity.
Shift toward sustainable and environmentally-friendly transport solutions influencing the sector.