The Government of Canada has committed $1 billion, through the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, to establish Canada’s Pacific Gateway and Corridor as the best transportation network facilitating global supply chains between North America and Asia.

September 03, 2008 Edmonton, Alberta 
Extract of: Notes for an address by The Honourable Rona Ambrose

President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada,
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and 
Minister of Western Economic Diversification

Funding Announcement

“It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government of Canada and Western Economic Diversification Canada.

I would like to begin by acknowledging my fellow platform guests:

• Mr. Yuen Pau Woo, President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada; and
• Mr. Reg Milley, President & CEO of the Edmonton Airport Authority;

The emergence of the Asia-Pacific region and its position at the forefront of a changing global economy is one of the most defining features of the 21st century economic landscape.

The rapidly growing economies of these countries are not only transforming global trade and investment patterns, but they are also creating new possibilities for strengthened economic relations with nations such as Canada, whose economic prosperity depends heavily on international trade.

Western Canada, in particular, is uniquely positioned – both geographically and economically – to capitalize on these new economic opportunities.

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada has long recognized this potential and has worked to foster a strengthened relationship between Canada and Asia-Pacific countries.

That is why I am proud to announce the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is investing $320,000 towards the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada to support its efforts in researching and developing Western Canada’s value-added Gateway opportunities and improving our competitive advantage through the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor.

Through this project, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada will build on its proven track record of supporting stronger economic and commercial relationships between Canada and the dynamic economies of Asia.

The Government of Canada recognizes that the world is changing rapidly, with businesses competing in markets that are increasingly integrated through complex networks and supply chains.

Our Government is working with Canadian businesses to strengthen their ties to different commercial markets and ensuring that Canadians are prepared to succeed internationally.

As the federal department responsible for diversifying the economy of Western Canada, WD works with a variety of private and public partners to expand Western Canada’s success in international markets.

WD recognizes that the Asia-Pacific region presents a unique opportunity to spark further economic diversification across the West by targeting investments that help build a competitive Gateway and Corridor economy that is grounded in commercial partnerships.

These partnerships will grow and help drive more and higher value activities through Western Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor.

That is why I am also pleased to announce today that WD will invest almost $760,000 towards two key components of the Port Alberta initiative at the Edmonton International Airport. These components will include:

• A logistics support centre that will serve as a one-stop cargo processing facility for services such as security and regulatory clearance; and
• A SmartPort Platform that uses state-of-the-art information technology for tracking and monitoring cargo.

Both of these features will facilitate the movement of goods in an efficient and cost-effective manner to their final destination.

This announcement builds on WD’s previous investment of $1.5 million to support the building blocks of research, partnerships and plans for the Port Alberta initiative.

The Port Alberta concept has the potential to position both the Edmonton International Airport and the Edmonton region as a transportation and warehousing hub capable of moving materials and products to anywhere in North America.

This means expanded opportunities within the Asia-Pacific region and to the rest of North America, as well as more jobs and a higher standard of living for western Canadians.

Activities linked to the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative improve the economic development, trade, and competitiveness for Western Canada.
WD’s previous investments toward strengthening the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor have included a $30 million investment to create a container terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert.

Last May, I also had the pleasure of announcing a $75 million federal investment on behalf of the Honourable David Emerson toward an interchange project in Edmonton under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.

In fact, the Government of Canada has committed $1 billion, through the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, to establish Canada’s Pacific Gateway and Corridor as the best transportation network facilitating global supply chains between North America and Asia.

As Prime Minister Harper said at the International Conference on Gateways and Corridors in May 2007, “At the dawn of the 21st century, no country in the world is better positioned than Canada to prosper in the emerging global economy.”

Canada will continue to build on a competitive economy through Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor that is grounded in partnerships among of the federal, provincial and municipal governments, the industry sector and economic development organizations. Partnerships, such as those in the projects announced today, will lead to a strengthened the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor.

On behalf of the Government of Canada and Western Economic Diversification Canada, I would like to thank the project partners, including the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the Edmonton International Airport Authority.

Today’s announcements represent important steps for all of us who are committed to the success of Western Canada in the new global economy.

Our Government is proud to support your efforts through today’s investments, and I wish you every success as you move forward”.