Calgary is doubling down on its ambitions to become a logistics and supply chain innovation hub, with a new multi-million dollar investment aimed at strengthening the infrastructure behind global trade.
The Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF), in partnership with the Government of Alberta, is investing up to $4.15 million in Mount Royal University to establish the Alberta Logistics Centre of Excellence (ALCoE).
The initiative is designed to address growing pressure on supply chains—from trade disruptions to labour shortages—by creating a centralized platform where industry, academia, and government can collaborate on real-world solutions.
Housed at MRU, ALCoE will focus on applied research, workforce development, and technology adoption. Programming will include targeted training, proof-of-concept projects, and innovation initiatives aimed at helping companies modernize operations and improve supply chain resilience.
The Centre will be guided by an industry-led advisory committee and leverage MRU’s existing supply chain management program, while creating new work-integrated learning opportunities for students.
Over four years, the initiative is expected to train 150 individuals, support 75 companies, and create 80 high-skilled jobs.
The federal government, through Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), has also committed $1.5 million to support the launch and commercialization of new transportation and logistics technologies.
The investment comes as Calgary positions itself as a critical node in North American trade. With direct air and rail access to major global markets—and the advancement of the Prairie Economic Gateway to unlock new industrial lands—the region is increasingly seen as a strategic logistics corridor.
In 2024, Alberta’s transportation and logistics sector contributed $22.5 billion to GDP and employed more than 178,000 people, underscoring both its scale and importance to the provincial economy.
ALCoE is the latest addition to Calgary’s broader innovation strategy, which is focused on building sector-specific hubs across the city. It follows recent initiatives including the ETC Foundation, Xpand Commercialization Hub, and AgSphere, all aimed at accelerating commercialization and attracting investment.
If fully realized, the strategy could generate 187,000 jobs and contribute more than $28 billion to Calgary’s economy by 2034.
“Calgary’s global connectivity, skilled workforce and large-scale distribution capabilities position our region to lead in building resilient supply chains,” said Brad Parry, CEO of OCIF and President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. “ALCoE will help companies solve industry-relevant challenges, strengthen our talent pipeline, and accelerate innovation.”
“The transportation and logistics sector sits at the centre of how Alberta trades with the world,” added Tom McCaffery, Executive Director of ALCoE. “This initiative will give companies practical ways to test new technologies, develop talent, and adapt to a rapidly changing global landscape.”
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