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- Terrace, B.C.- March 14, 2011
Terrace, B.C.- March 14, 2011
Speaking notes for Parliamentary Secretary Brian Jean on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl – announcement of agreements with First Nations groups regarding the expansion of the Port of Prince Rupert
Thank you for being here as we continue our efforts to build a safe and secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system right across Canada.
It's a system that is among the best in the world — and with the input of all orders of government, including First Nations, we're making it even better.
It's a system with enormous potential for our shared future prosperity. Yet we know this potential can only be met through partnership and cooperation.
After all, we all know world-class transportation systems are not built from the top-down — not in today's global economy.
Instead it takes the knowledge and experience of those who actually use the system and from those who benefit from it.
That's why I'm pleased today to announce, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, that the Government of Canada has reached agreements with the Kitselas First Nation and the Kitsumkalum First Nation regarding the expansion of the Port of Prince Rupert's Fairview Container Terminal.
These agreements will offer economic development opportunities for these First Nations communities, support the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor, and provide economic prosperity for this region.
These are benefits that will flow to First Nations communities and help provide a better quality of life.
I'm pleased to note that these agreements build upon Canada's Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development.
The purpose of the Framework is to focus the federal government's actions — from programs to legislation to partnerships — to increase the participation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in the Canadian economy. It also strives to improve economic outcomes for Aboriginal peoples in all parts of Canada.
Today's announcement is a further example of our government's commitment to the Framework.
It also reflects our government's commitment to ensuring First Nations communities have access to economic development, employment, and training opportunities.
We know these opportunities can result in tangible benefits, which are vital to creating sustainable communities.
Today's announcement allows us to move forward together with the planned and future projects that will expand port operations in Prince Rupert.
This is vital to the continued development of the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor, one of our government's most important initiatives.
The Gateway positions Canada as an integrated, efficient and reliable transportation route connecting North America with the world.
By moving forward together with the projects in Prince Rupert, and by working in partnership towards a successful Asia-Pacific Gateway, we're sending a positive message to our trading partners: a message that says Canada wants their business and is prepared for it.
This, in turn, will provide significant economic benefits to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, First Nations, and Canada as a whole.
We continue to move forward with the Asia-Pacific Gateway. In addition to physical infrastructure, we're also turning our attention to issues such as modernizing policy and legislative frameworks.
The purpose is to improve efficiency and reliability through partnership, while boosting innovation.
It's about leveraging the benefits we've already obtained from our investments in the Asia-Pacific Gateway and adding value.
We're going to take lessons learned from the Asia-Pacific Gateway and apply them to initiatives such as the Atlantic Gateway and the Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway.
All of this work means jobs for today and tomorrow here at home, while making Canada more competitive for the future.
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that a rising tide raises all boats, and today's announcement is yet another example of how partnership is moving us forward together.
After all, we're not just building a transportation system, we're building a foundation for the future:
…a future that brings people together, including First Nations;
…a future where input is sought and valued.
…a future where prosperity will be felt not by the few but the many.
Thank you.
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