-->
GC No. 033/07
For release October 14, 2007
HALIFAX — Canada's New Government and the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the development of Canada's Atlantic Gateway.
"Canada's New Government is delivering on its commitment to develop the country's trade gateways and corridors. This milestone collaboration, advanced in the spirit of open federalism, is an opportunity to strengthen Canada's competitive position in international commerce," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "The Atlantic Gateway Memorandum of Understanding will guide future investments and increase Canada's overall competitiveness over the long term."
The common vision of the five governments is to establish the Atlantic Gateway as a strategic, integrated and globally competitive transportation system, facilitating the movement of international commerce on North America's east coast.
"Canada's prosperity and quality of life depend on our success as a trading nation," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "An Atlantic Gateway strategy will benefit the Atlantic region and all of Canada by taking advantage of the region's geographical position and transportation assets."
"Strengthening Nova Scotia's position in the competitive world of international commerce through the development of the Atlantic Gateway is a top priority for the provincial government," said the Honourable Michael Baker, Nova Scotia's Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Angus MacIsaac, Transportation and Public Works Minister. "Nova Scotia is committed to pursuing this extraordinary opportunity in collaboration with our provincial and federal partners."
"New Brunswick is very pleased to sign this agreement," said New Brunswick Transportation Minister Denis Landry. "This is a great opportunity for New Brunswick, the Atlantic Provinces, and all of Canada. We look forward to early action on the Atlantic Gateway because time is of the essence."
"The benefits the Atlantic Gateway can provide this region are enormous," said Prince Edward Island's Minister of Transportation and Public Works Ron MacKinley. "It will give businesses in Atlantic Canada, including Prince Edward Island, a far better opportunity to access trade markets world-wide. We applaud the federal government for recognizing Atlantic Canada as a vital part of Canada's economic, and transportation future."
"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to be a part of the on-going discussions regarding the Atlantic Gateway and is committed to ensuring maximum benefits for our province," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.
Canada's New Government has developed the National Policy Framework for Strategic Gateways and Trade Corridors to enhance Canada's competitiveness in the rapidly changing global economy, by focusing on the transportation systems that connect Canada with the world. It will guide investment and policy measures in several gateway and corridor strategies, responding to unique geographic, trade and transportation opportunities in key regions, including Atlantic Canada.
In addition, Canada's New Government's "Building Canada" infrastructure plan, with a budget of $33 billion between 2007 and 2014, provides more funding for provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure, and for a longer period of time than any federal government since the Second World War. It includes $2.1 billion through the new Gateways and Border Crossings Fund to improve the flow of goods between Canada and the rest of the world by enhancing infrastructure at key locations, such as major border crossings between Canada and the United States.
A backgrounder with information about the MOU is attached.
- 30 -
Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media RelationsTransport Canada, Ottawa613-993-0055
Cindy McInnes
Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Halifax
902-240-4076
Shalon McLachlan
Communications Advisor
Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works, Halifax
902-424-3289
Tracey Burkhardt
Director of Communications
New Brunswick Department of Transportation, Fredericton
506-453-5634
Andrew Sprague
Communications Officer
PEI Department of Transportation and Public Works, Charlottetown
902-368-5112
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s
709-729-4570
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
Backgrounder
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH ATLANTIC PROVINCES
TO DEVELOP AN ATLANTIC GATEWAY STRATEGY
The Government of Canada, represented by the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, represented by their respective Ministers of Transportation, that affirms each government's commitment to develop an Atlantic Gateway strategy.
This MOU provides the framework for collaboration between Canada and the Atlantic provinces. It reflects the established principles and governance structure of the Atlantic Gateway Federal-Provincial Officials Committee, which was established in January 2007 following an agreement among key federal Ministers, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, and the Honourable Peter Mackay; and the Honourable Angus MacIsaac, along with three other Atlantic Ministers of Transportation, to work collaboratively towards an Atlantic Gateway Strategy.
The MOU outlines the objectives for the development of an Atlantic Gateway strategy over the next 24 months, including analytical work required to map and assess the multi-modal transportation system in the region that supports international commerce activities.
The main components of the MOU include:
A vision and objectives: a common vision of establishing the Atlantic Gateway as a strategic, integrated and globally competitive transportation system that facilitates the movement of international commerce.
A governance structure that establishes the Atlantic Gateway Federal-Provincial Officials Committee as the key forum for collaboration.
An action plan aligned with the National Policy Framework for Strategic Gateways and Trade Corridors, that will further define opportunities and challenges associated with increased trade volumes, including identifying potential impacts on the transportation system. Potential measures, including international marketing and promotion, are identified as priorities for optimizing the effectiveness and exploitation of the gateway.
The success of the gateway approach depends upon partnerships and collaboration, not only across modes of transportation but also across the public and private sectors. For this reason, the MOU also identifies the need to engage the private sector and other interested stakeholders. This effort will build on existing relationships with key regional organizations and associations, while tapping into expertise in the private sector, labour groups and academia.
The signing of this MOU follows the recently released National Policy Framework for Strategic Gateways and Trade Corridors. This framework is based on long-term planning and a
systems-based approach to policy and investment issues, and will guide investment decisions under the $2.1-billion Gateways and Border Crossings Fund. Announced in Budget 2007, this fund will also help to position the Atlantic Gateway in the broader national context, including linking it with the other gateway and corridor strategies.
For further information on the MOU and the National Policy Framework, visit www.tc.gc.ca/gatewayconnects.
October 2007
