The Government of Canada is taking steps to strengthen economic linkages between Western Canada and the Asia-Pacific region through investments that will support enhanced commercial and economic opportunities.
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, announced the total federal investment of more than $1 million today.
"These investments will help position Western Canada for success as it strives to capitalize on the tremendous trade and investment opportunities with the Asia-Pacific region's rapidly growing economies," said Minister Ambrose. "The partnerships announced today are key steps towards driving more and higher value activities through Western Canada's Gateway."
A $320,000 federal investment towards the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada will support efforts in researching and developing Western Canada's value-added opportunities across a range of industries. The funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada, made through its Western Diversification Program, will contribute towards the total project cost of more than $1 million. The Foundation will draw upon its extensive network of stakeholders and experts to identify strategies and actions to build on Western Canada's competitive advantage as a Gateway economy.
Yuen Pau Woo, President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada commented, "The rise of Asia as an economic power will require profound adjustments in the way we do business, whether or not we do business with Asia. The generous support of Western Economic Diversification Canada will help us in our core mandate of equipping Canadians, especially in western provinces, to be more effective in their dealings with Asia and in strengthening Canada's credentials as a committed member of the Asia-Pacific region."
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization that serves as a centre of expertise on contemporary Asia and Canadian relations with Asia. The Foundation's mandate is to foster stronger ties between Canada and Asia through policy research, networking, and public awareness, serving the business community, government, and civil society.
In addition, a federal investment of almost $760,000 will enable the Edmonton International Airport to develop two key components of the Port Alberta initiative. The Airport will establish a logistics support centre that will serve as a one-stop cargo processing facility for services such as security and regulatory clearance. Funding will also allow for the development of a SmartPort Platform that uses state-of-the-art information technology for tracking and monitoring cargo. The investment from Western Economic Diversification Canada, made through its Western Diversification Program, will receive a matching investment from the Edmonton International Airport for a total project cost of more than $1.5 million.
"This new funding provides for two key components for developing Port Alberta at Edmonton International Airport," said Reg Milley, EIA President and CEO. "EIA, as part of the broader regional initiative, will become a major cargo processing centre with onsite warehouse and logistics facilities, capable of hosting multiple modes of transportation and acting as a catalyst for advancing global trade and distribution across the region and the globe."
This investment builds on Western Economic Diversification Canada's previous announcement of $1.5 million to support the building blocks of research, partnerships and plans for the Port Alberta initiative. Port Alberta has the potential to transform both the Edmonton International Airport and Edmonton region into a major North American warehousing and distribution hub that combines air, rail and road transportation infrastructure with links to Asia and the Americas.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the western economy. It also represents the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Pierre Floréa
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
613-943-1838
Melina Czerwinski
Communications Coordinator
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Tel: 604-630-1540
Email: melina.czerwinski@asiapacific.ca
Jim Rudolph
Corporate Communications Manager
Edmonton Airports
Phone: (780) 890-8454
Cell: (780) 717-5117
E-mail: jrudolph@edmontonairports.com
www.edmontonairports.com
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
- WD works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and diversify Western Canada's economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national economic policy.
- WD is announcing an investment of $320,028 towards the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada to support its efforts in researching and developing Western Canada's value-added opportunities, and improving Canada's competitive advantage as part of the Asia-Pacific Gateway.
- In addition, WD is also investing $759,850 towards two key components of the Port Alberta Initiative at the Edmonton International Airport. These components will include a logistics support centre and a SmartPort Platform.
- WD's investments, made through its Western Diversification Program (WDP), support the department's priorities of facilitating innovation, promoting a competitive and expanded business sector, and fostering community economic development.
- The underlying objective of the WDP is to create a stronger West in a stronger Canada. Several guiding principles are used to help assess how initiatives contribute to this objective, including:
- increased economic diversification that improves the viability, prosperity, and standard of living for individuals and communities across Western Canada; and
- increased economic research in the areas of innovation, entrepreneurship and community economic development to provide a sound base for economic diversification in areas of importance to Western Canada.
- Other elements that are considered when determining the relative merit of proposals include the measurable impact on the western Canadian economy, viability and sustainability, long-term benefits, and the participation of other stakeholders.
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
The Asia Pacific Foundation is an independent resource for Canadians on contemporary Asia and Canada-Asia relations. As a national not-for-profit organization established by an Act of the Federal Parliament in 1984, the Foundation brings together people and knowledge to provide the most current and comprehensive research, analysis and information on Asia and on Canada's transpacific relations. It promotes dialogue on economic, security, political and social issues, helping to inform public policy, the Canadian public and Canada's Asia practitioners. The Foundation is funded principally through an endowment from the Government of Canada and a grant from the Province of British Columbia.
Edmonton Airports
Edmonton International Airport (EIA) is a major contributor to regional economic and community development and the fastest-growing major airport in Canada. Located near Edmonton, Alberta's capital city and centre of one of the most vibrant economies in the world, EIA is establishing a major, multi-modal transportation hub that links Asia, NAFTA and Europe. Port Alberta will be a significant link in the global supply chain and offer effective, innovative logistic solutions for domestic and international markets.
Originated by EIA, Port Alberta is an inland port that takes advantage of Edmonton and its international airport's strategic location to create a regional, national, and international cargo hub by improving the integration of the supply chain through efficient links between air, surface, rail and marine transportation.
Edmonton and EIA's Strategic Location
- Closest major centre to the Alberta oilsands and the Canadian North's growing diamond industry
- At the heart of Western and Northern Canada - one of world's strongest economic regions
- Immediate access to the CANAMEX transportation corridor connecting Canada, the United States and Mexico
- Adjacent to the largest industrial park in Western Canada and second largest in North America for oil and gas manufacturing
- Situated at the intersection of existing global air routes
- First major centre inland from the Port of Prince Rupert
- Access to complete network of North American rail transportation through CP/CN's rail system in the Edmonton region, including rail links to both west coast points
- Most northern major airport in North America
Infrastructure
- Largest airport by area in Canada with scheduled air service
- Over 7,000 acres in total; 3,000 available for development
- Two all-weather unrestricted runways
- 10,600 ft. and 11,000 ft. in an "open-V" configuration to maximize utilization and efficiency with no curfew lights or operating restrictions
- Designated a transshipment zone
- Imported goods permitted to move via EIA to export without traditional duty tariffs
- Home to Nav Canada's largest air operation centre
