E-News Update
Message from the Minister
Kitimat, Terrace, Prince Rupert. Gorgeous mountain vistas, stunning inland water valleys, whale and grizzly sightings anytime, fresh seafood delights daily.
Sounds like I'm writing a tourism brochure or a real estate ad.
Neither. Just letting you know what you can expect if you spend even two days in the region as I just did.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister, John Baird, and I met with a variety of groups and organizations while we were there.
Every time he or I used the word 'potential' to an individual or an audience there would inevitably be a groan. "We've been hearing that word too often" was a constant refrain.
People pointed to the fact that a litany of proposals are waiting to be announced.
Every person we talked to puts a premium on environmental protection. And almost every one believes that the environment and the economy can be enhanced together.
The potential (there I go again) for long term, high end employment and a future that is predictable and brimming with opportunity is achievable.
For example, the Asia-Pacific possibilities are endless. Local entrepreneurship is alive and well.
The work ethic and record of achievement of workers is known everywhere.
People at all levels have been consulted.
It's time to move on and encourage agreements to be mutually beneficial and finalized.
Then those plans which will raise our rates of prosperity can move ahead.
We'll be working with residents of this fabulous region to see how to best move ahead.
Stay tuned.
Stockwell Day
President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Recent News and Announcements
$5-million to Ashcroft Terminals
A $5-million federal funding commitment to Ashcroft Terminal for the expansion of its industrial-zoned land into a multi-user rail facility was announced on July 14.
The expansion of the terminal just outside of Ashcroft will facilitate railway access for shippers within the region. The project will provide more train capacity and will improve the movement of goods travelling between the West Coast and the Ontario/Quebec region.
The project will also help reduce the number of trucks in the Lower Mainland with the environmental benefit of reduced greenhouse gases.
North Shore of the Asia-Pacific Gateway keeps expanding
Minister Day marked the start of construction on the Lynn Creek Rail Bridge and Brooksbank Avenue Underpass project in North Vancouver, B.C. on July 14. This federal investment of over $21 million will improve access to ports and railways, and help to seize job creation opportunities with a skilled workforce as we strengthen our trading connections overseas.
The project, delivered through Port Metro Vancouver, involves building a new bridge to carry eight new rail lines to widen the existing port rail corridor, and expanding the Brooksbank Avenue underpass. These expansions will improve railway access to and from Port Metro Vancouver’s Neptune and Lynnterm West terminals in North Vancouver.
The North Shore Trade Area is a growing centre for trade and economic activity in British Columbia. In 2008, the area handled 23.7 million tonnes of commodity, with a value of approximately $10.7 billion. By 2020, the North Shore terminals are forecast to generate a total of 31,000 jobs in Canada, earning over $1.4 billion in wages annually, and $2.0 billion in gross domestic product (GDP).
Canada strengthens its cargo security with Japan, Singapore and South Korea
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) signed three Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) with customs organizations in Japan, Singapore and South Korea on June 25. The new arrangements will promotCanada e a smarter, more secure and efficient border.
The MRAs confirm that Japan, Singapore and South Korea are using criteria similar to those used by Canada's Partners in Protection (PIP) program when granting companies membership to their respective cross-border programs.
These agreements allow Canada to further develop trade relationships with Japan, Singapore and South Korea and will provide Canadian companies greater facilitation in these key foreign markets, while further ensuring the security of the supply chain.
Minister Day promotes the APGCI in China and Japan
The Honourable Stockwell Day recently concluded a mission to China and Japan where he promoted the use of Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway to the government and business communities in these countries.
In China, the Minister’s visit included stops in Shanghai and Beijing, where he met with the Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the Vice-Minister of Transport and the Vice-Mayor of Shanghai. During these meetings, he talked about how Canadian ports, airports and railways have found more efficient ways to move containers into the heartland of North America more quickly.
In Japan, Minister Day met with Seiji Maehara, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Yukio Edano, Minister of State for Government Revitalization, and Yoshihiko Noda, Senior Vice-Minister of Finance. They discussed current investments and progress with key Asia-Pacific Gateway projects such as the recent opening of the third berth at Deltaport in Vancouver.
The Minister also met with key stakeholders and current users of the Gateway, such as international shipping lines Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha.
Minister Day ended his visit by delivering a speech at a business networking luncheon where he promoted Canada’s unique position to attract business with Japan, as well as underlined Canada’s strong financial standing among G-7 countries.
Upcoming Events
Launch of new APGCI Web site
The APGCI website is undergoing significant changes that will make it easier get up to date information on APGCI projects and progress. It will include new and interactive features to help navigate the site. Stay tuned!
Canadian business delegation to travel to China
For the last two years, the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Canada (SCL), with the support of Transport Canada, has been facilitating bi-national business exchanges among senior logistics experts in Canada and China.
Since the beginning of the program, over 50 Canadian and Chinese private sector representatives have participated in the program. Providing an opportunity to visit various facilities, meet with potential business partners and attend the largest logistics conference in China, the next Canadian delegation will be travelling to China from October 28 to November 6.
For more information, read the feature below or visit the SCL website: http://www.sclcanada.org/
Feature: A Canadian Success Story
China Mission Opens New Doors for Canadian SME
Anne Waldes, President of Trade Link International is a logistics expert who participated in a mission to China in December 2009 as part of a program to support learning and business development among logistics experts in Canada and China.
Led by SCL, the Canadian delegation traveled to Zhengzhou, Beijing, Chongqing and Shanghai and visited port facilities and distribution centres, in addition to attending business conferences and round tables.
The President of SCL, Bob Armstrong is a strong believer that face-to-face meetings are critical in forging business relationships in China.
This was not the first trip to China for Ms. Waldes who has traveled to the country many times, as the head of Trade Link, a small to mid-sized Canadian freight-forwarding company.
Trade Link provides services such as International Air Freight, Ocean Freight, RORO, LOLO, Break Bulk and LCL services in over 65 countries and China represents an increasingly important market.
“Since the start of our company in 1993, I’ve traveled to China on many occasions in order to grow solid working relationships with reliable agents and to better understand the flow of cargo and documents in China,” said Waldes.
What was different about the eight-day December mission is that delegates had a chance to get an in-depth understanding of the logistics industry in China, had access to potential Chinese business partners, and received briefings and assistance from the Canadian Embassy and Consulates which may not have been possible otherwise.
As a direct result of the mission, Trade Link was able to see close up the opportunity available to foreign investment, especially in the Yangtze River region.
Trade Link is now working towards the opening of an office in Hong Kong in the fall of 2010 and identifying business partners in Chongqing.
Trade Link plans to participate in the next trade mission in October 2010.
If you are interested in participating in the next SCL delegation, please contact Bob Armstrong at SCL Canada by email: barmstrong@sclcanada.org