No. GC018/06
For release December 8, 2006

STRATEGIC ADVISORS
APPOINTED FOR ASIA-PACIFIC
GATEWAY AND CORRIDOR INITIATIVE

OTTAWA - The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver –Whistler Olympics, today announced the appointments of Mr. Jeff Burghardt, Mr. Arthur Defehr and Mr. T. Richard Turner to volunteer positions as strategic advisors for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.

"These strategic advisors recognize the potential of the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative for enhancing Canada’s trade competitiveness. We have an opportunity to establish links into Asia for our exporters, as well as to break down the barriers for trade and investment into Canada," said Minister Emerson. "Their combined expertise in the financial and business sectors will complement the Initiative, and their input will provide a sound basis for future investment and policy decisions."

Mr. Burghardt, Mr. Defehr and Mr. Turner will provide advice on the long-term direction for development and promotion of the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, and will also explore the views of private sector leaders on how to advance the Initiative. They will act as a bridge between the government and key decision-makers in Canadian, American and international business centres.

The advisors will consider specific questions, such as:

• What policy and regulatory reforms would best support the Gateway’s success?
• What should governments do to optimize the private investment climate relevant to the Gateway, while safeguarding the public interest?
• What can be done to better mobilize and organize Canada’s human and financial resources to develop the Gateway?

The advisors will consult with the Minister and senior officials as required. They will also meet with other private sector leaders in Canada and abroad, including manufacturers, shippers and exporters in order to gather perspectives and insights.

On October 11, 2006, Prime Minister Harper announced the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, an integrated set of investment and policy measures to strengthen Canada’s competitive position in international commerce. The Initiative delivers significant new public investment - $591 million overall, including $321 million in immediate projects for a variety of infrastructure, transportation technology and border security projects, and it is establishing long-term policy directives.

- 30 -

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.caa. 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

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ON STRATEGIC ADVISORS APPOINTED FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC GATEWAY AND CORRIDOR INITIATIVE

Mr. Jeff Burghardt is the president and chief executive officer of Prince Rupert Grain Ltd. He has worked in the agricultural industry for more than 25 years, holding a variety of operations and marketing positions throughout North America, primarily with Cargill Ltd. Mr. Burghardt joined Prince Rupert Grain in 1993. He is a director and past chair of the Northwest Corridor Development Corporation and a past director of the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC). He was appointed to the British Columbia Northern Health Authority Board in March 2002 and became chair in January 2005. He is a chair of the Healthcare Benefit Trust and a former director of the Health Employers Association of British Columbia. Mr. Burghardt is also active in a number of local Prince Rupert organizations. He is a member of the Prince Rupert port user advisory committee.

Mr. Arthur Defehr is currently president and chief executive officer of Palliser Furniture Ltd. and is a former chair of the Business Council of Manitoba. He has been involved in international development for over 30 years, serving as president of International Development Enterprises Canada for many years and is a former member of the World Economic Forum. He was also the founding chairman of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, which provides food and related assistance through donations from farmers and from the Canadian International Development Agency to emergency locales around the world. Since 1989, he has been active in business and ethics, organizing and leading four conferences in Russia; starting a high tech farm equipment plant in Siberia; and founding the Lithuania Christian College, a fully-accredited English-speaking university-level institution. Mr. Defehr is a member of the Trilateral Commission and the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.

Mr. T. Richard Turner is currently chair of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s board of directors. Since 1995, he has been president and chief executive officer of TitanStar Investment Group Inc., a private equity business. From 1988 to 2005, he was president, chief executive officer and director of International Aviation Terminals Inc. Mr. Turner has been a director of the Organizing Committee for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games since 2003 and served as chair and a director of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation from 2001 to 2005. He is a former member of the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada. Mr. Turner has been a governor of the World Economic Forum (Tourism Section); a director of Aerospace North America; the chair and a director of Airports Council International Associates - North America; the chair of Airports Council International Associates - Pacific Region; and the chair of the BC Aviation Council. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honours, including the 1994 Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40 Award; the 1995 Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Award; the 2001 Vancouver Board of Trade’s Leaders of Tomorrow Visionary Award; and the 2003 Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for public service.

December 2006