No. H196/05For release October 20, 2005
OTTAWA - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today introduced in the House of
Commons the proposed Pacific Gateway Act.
The legislation sets out a new policy and governance foundation for further
development of Canada's Pacific Gateway and commits the Government of Canada to
a clearly defined strategy. The Act establishes Canada's Pacific Gateway Council
to promote consensus among a full range of public partners and private sector
stakeholders, and to advise decision-makers on priorities for developing the
Pacific Gateway.
"Building Canada's Pacific Gateway is crucial, not only for the future of
British Columbia and the western provinces, but for the prosperity of the whole
country," said Mr. Lapierre. "This legislation sets the foundation for the
Government of Canada's long-term commitment to improve Canada's ability to do
business with China, India and other rapidly growing economies."
The Act's preamble and policy declaration articulate the national interest in
the Pacific Gateway, establish the principles that will guide federal action,
and commit the Government of Canada to a clearly defined strategy. Several
elements of the bill also make clear the government's commitment to work in
collaboration with other orders of government and private sector partners to
support development and use of the Pacific Gateway. The strategy will also serve
as a basis for elaborating in the future a national policy framework on
strategic gateways and trade corridors.
The Act also establishes Canada's Pacific Gateway Council. The council will
be supported by a secretariat based in the Vancouver area and will be
responsible for promoting consensus and providing advice to decision-makers on
policy, regulatory and investment priorities to further develop and take
advantage of the gateway.
While the Minister emphasized the importance of the new long-term policy
directions, he also stressed that the Government of Canada is moving ahead with
plans for immediate investment to help build Canada's capacity to trade and do
business with Asia-Pacific countries.
"Launching a new approach for long-term development of the gateway is
important, but there are strategic investments required now, and we will be
announcing action in these areas in the very near future," added Mr. Lapierre.
A backgrounder highlighting more information about the Pacific
Gateway Act is attached.
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Contacts:
Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of
Transport, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Cathy Cossaboom
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.
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BACKGROUNDER
THE PACIFIC GATEWAY ACT
For Canada, trade and investment are primary generators of
growth and good jobs - key points that were emphasized in the Government of
Canada's most recent Speech from the Throne. In a global economy that is rapidly
changing and highly competitive, Canada must invest its resources strategically
to ensure that the country remains a strong and reliable trading partner. With
respect to trade with China, India, and other countries in Asia-Pacific, this is
especially important, as these fast-growing economies are becoming important
trade partners. China alone is on track to become the world's second largest
economy by 2016, and the largest economy within less than 50 years.
Canada is taking action to strengthen its position in
Asia-Pacific commerce. An important step is the introduction of the Pacific
Gateway Act.
The legislation sets out a new policy and governance foundation
for further development of Canada's Pacific Gateway and commits the federal
government to a clearly defined strategy. The Act establishes Canada's Pacific
Gateway Council to promote consensus among a full range of public and private
sector stakeholders and to advise decision-makers on priorities for developing
the Pacific Gateway.
Preamble and Policy Declaration
The Act's preamble and policy declaration articulate the
national interest in the Pacific Gateway, establish the principles which will
guide federal action and then commit the Government of Canada to a clearly
defined strategy. Several elements of the Act also make clear the government's
commitment to work in collaboration with other orders of government and private
sector partners to support development and use of the Pacific Gateway.
The Act's policy declaration defines the essential elements of
the strategy:
supporting the further development of a world class
multimodal network of strategic transportation links and transfer points of
national significance that is competitive, efficient, safe, secure and
environmentally sound;
advancing an integrated and cohesive set of measures in areas
that affect gateway performance to allow Canada to take full advantage of the
opportunities it provides; and
promoting strategic partnerships and collaboration among
governments and stakeholders, including through the creation of Canada's Pacific
Gateway Council.
Canada's Pacific Gateway Council
Committed stakeholders in the transport sector have long
advocated, and worked toward, a more integrated approach that addresses
interconnections and synergies among policy and investment issues across all
modes of transportation on Canada's west coast. The Pacific Gateway Strategy
seeks to build on those efforts and takes the concept even further. The
interconnections reach beyond transportation and so must the consensus building,
advisory process, and future decisions. Therefore the strategy will create a new
body to advise decision makers on the full range of transportation and other
issues that have an impact on the effectiveness of Canada's Pacific Gateway and
how well the Canadian economy takes advantage of it.
Canada's Pacific Gateway Council and its secretariat will be
based in the Vancouver area. The council's mandate will be to develop advice for
decision makers through a transparent process that seeks to integrate the views
of the full range of stakeholders. The council will also be mandated to
collaborate with existing networks of stakeholders active in relations with
Asia-Pacific countries, for example the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada, and
in gateway issues, for example the Greater Vancouver Gateway Council. The
council will be comprised of governor in council appointees reflecting various
areas of expertise, such as transportation, business, international trade,
security, labour and municipalities. It will include individuals appointed after
consultation with the governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and
Manitoba and other provinces of Canada. The chair of the Asia-Pacific Foundation
of Canada will also be a member.
The council will create at least two committees to provide
analysis and advice on strategic directions and its long term program of
studies.
The Pacific Gateway Transportation Advisory Committee will
be made up of individuals from municipalities; the rail, port, shipping,
air, trucking and logistics sectors; transportation users; Aboriginal
people; environmental experts; and security and emergency preparedness
experts, to focus on the effectiveness of Canada's Pacific Gateway.
The Pacific Gateway Opportunities Advisory Committee will
consist of individuals offering expertise relevant to the opportunities of the
Pacific Gateway, focusing on how Canada can take full advantage of it.
Up to $35 million over five years has been identified for the
work of the council and for federal departments that will be interacting with
the council to make the delivery of the Pacific Gateway Strategy a success.
October 2005
