13 October 2009
Vancouver, British Columbia
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced funding to enhance Vancouver's South Shore Trade Area, an investment that will improve rail, port and trucking operations, as well as create jobs for the Greater Vancouver region and help to increase mobility throughout the city. The Harper Government will partner with Port Metro Vancouver, the City of Vancouver, Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National to fund the infrastructure projects.
"The South Shore Trade Area is essential to the trade that flows between Western Canada and our Pacific trading partners," said the Prime Minister. "These improvements along Burrard Inlet will create jobs for Canadians and increase the efficiency of Canada's Pacific Gateway, ensuring that we are well-positioned to meet the needs of our trading agreements."
In 2008, the South Shore Trade Area processed approximately 29 million metric tons of goods and is expected to process 32 million in 2010. The benefits of this strategic investment will not only improve operations there, but will also extend to grain producers as well as importers and exporters throughout Canada.
The Harper Government will contribute up to $49.7 million of the $125 million investment. Over the past three years, the government has committed almost $1 billion to the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.
For more information about Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, please visit http://www.pacificgateway.gc.ca.
