No. H082/11
For release - September 12, 2011
OTTAWA — The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), today announced that he will participate in the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Transportation Ministerial Meeting. The meeting will take place on September 14, 2011, in San Francisco, California.
"I am very pleased to take part in this meeting," said Minister Fletcher. "Canada is a very important Asia-Pacific partner and the meeting will provide an excellent opportunity to foster closer economic ties in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as advance Canadian transportation interests with key partners. The APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting will also allow Canada to showcase our efforts and successes with the Asia-Pacific Gateway."
During this APEC meeting, ministers and senior officials from 21 Asia-Pacific economies will discuss a range of topics such as ensuring disaster preparedness; promoting green growth and innovation in transportation; enhancing regulatory cooperation; strengthening regional economic integration; and expanding trade.
Minister Fletcher will address the meeting about applying technology solutions to supply chain logistics. He will also speak about Canada's aviation and air cargo security policies and practices.
Prior to the APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting, Minister Fletcher will accompany his Cabinet colleague, the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, to the first ever joint APEC Transportation and Energy Ministers Conference taking place on September 13, 2011, also in San Francisco.
APEC's primary goal is to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region by championing free and open trade and investment, promoting and accelerating regional economic integration, encouraging economic and technical cooperation, enhancing human security, and facilitating a favourable and sustainable business environment.
For more information, please visit www.apec.org.
– 30 –
Contacts:
Brayden Akers
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Steven Fletcher
Minister of State (Transport), Ottawa
613-949-8624
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.
ASIA-PACIFIC GATEWAY AND CORRIDOR INITIATIVE
The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor is a network of transportation infrastructure including B.C.'s Lower Mainland and Prince Rupert ports, their principal road and rail connections stretching across Western Canada and south to the United States, key border crossings and major Canadian airports.
The network serves all of Canada, and the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) aims to take advantage of Canada's strategic location at the crossroads between the North American marketplace and the booming economies of Asia.
Since the launch on October 11, 2006, by Prime Minister Harper, more than $3.5 billion has been committed to Gateway infrastructure projects by federal, provincial and municipal governments across western Canada, including over $1.4 billion in total federal contributions.
The APGCI is a long-term effort, focusing on infrastructure, policy, governance and operational issues together in one multimodal, system-based, public-private strategy.
The Government of Canada's contributions to APGCI projects will improve the transportation system by:
- increasing transportation capacity;
- reducing congestion at key locations for Asia-Pacific trade;
- improving connections between modes; and
- enhancing its efficiency, safety and security.
The Government of Canada's investments will continue to promote increased investments by the private sector and other public-sector partners to ensure efficient and seamless connections between the various modes of transportation and improve traffic flows for international cargo.
For more information, please visit www.pacificgateway.gc.ca.
September 2011
