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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
Prince Rupert Port Container Terminal Grand Opening Ceremony
Prince Rupert , British Columbia
September 12, 2007
Corresponding Document: News release (2007-09-12)
Check Against Delivery
Good afternoon everyone.
Thank you Don, the Prince Rupert Port Authority, and to all of the partners for hosting this very special event.
It is clear, from the excitement in the air, that today represents a defining moment for all of us who are committed to the success of this port, this community, and this region.
Prince Rupert’s gateway ambitions began in the early 20th Century as the railhead for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, which later became a part of CN Rail.
At that time, plans were made to establish the City on the silk trade route between Asia and North America.
More recently, rapid growth in so many parts of Asia, the imperatives of global competitiveness, world energy demands, the changing dynamics of the Canadian economy, and the hard work of many people have combined to bring this vision to life.
The Government of Canada is proud to be playing its part. Minister Emerson has described our efforts and tremendous investments in the Asia- Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.
Through my department, Western Economic Diversification Canada or WD as we are called, our Government contributed $30 million dollars to convert and expand the capacity of this Port.
But the dollars do not tell the whole story. Since 1987, WD has worked with the Province of British Columbia and more recently, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, to position Canada to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the Asia Pacific Rim.
Our contribution to the new Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, included providing strategic advice and consulting broadly with stakeholders across Canada about how best to leverage economic opportunity from this major investment.
As demonstrated so well today, this involves sound business strategies, new infrastructure and joint ventures rooted in the partnerships and long-standing relationships that are fundamental to success.
The gantry cranes and the emerging infrastructure you see around you are powerful symbols of our progress. The result will be 300,000 containers shipped through this port in the first year of operations, with projections growing to 1 million by 2012.
The increased capacity will strengthen Canada’s position as a fast, efficient, secure and reliable Gateway - one that Asian shippers are looking for as they build commercial bridges to North America.
That is impressive. Less visible, yet as impressive are the powerful partnerships that have already been forged around this project, and those that will be forged as the port continues to develop.
Along with the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, Maher Terminals, CN Rail and the Canada Border Services Agency have all supported the Prince Rupert Port Authority in its vision of building a world-class container terminal.
The partnerships central to a venture of this magnitude include, as well, First Nations communities, who share our vision of building a better future for all.
The results of these partnerships have attracted the interest of shippers, transportation and service providers, business people and communities.
Since our nation was founded, ports have played a crucial role in Canada’s economic vitality and the quality of life we enjoy, especially here in British Columbia.
Safe, efficient and accessible seaports help our businesses and commodities compete internationally and improve our standard of living by tapping into the goods, jobs and services that global trade brings.
Ports propel our nation’s economy through the millions of people they employ, the billions of dollars in business investments they make and encourage others to make, and by the billions of dollars worth of goods that pass through them each year.
This particular deep-water port has natural advantages. It boasts the shortest land/sea route between North America and Asia.
It is also connected by the CN network of railroads to Edmonton, to Winnipeg, into the Sault and the Great Lakes system, down the St. Lawrence, over the Canadian east coast, down through Chicago and the Midwest, to Louisiana and the Gulf, and out to the US east coast and New Jersey.
These links will quickly turn into multi-modal transportation hubs. For instance, the city of Edmonton has already signed a memorandum of co-operation with the cities of Prince George and Prince Rupert that will enhance Edmonton’s access to new markets while creating new back-haul opportunities for business and industry. Edmonton has the opportunity to become a “global port” to the oilsands.
Whether in Prince Rupert, Prince George or Edmonton, along the Northwest Corridor or the Mid-Continent corridor, our Government supports investments in gateways and corridors that include both the hard infrastructure and the soft assets - such as Asian business networks, institutional partnerships, value-added business services and financing mechanisms to name a few - that facilitate the movement of people, ideas and goods.
It is the combination of these movements that have the power to transform our economic landscape.
While the competition may be fierce, the opportunities are limitless.
That is why Canada’s New Government is working in close collaboration with the provincial governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well as the public and private sectors.
As Prime Minister Harper said at the International Conference on Gateways and Corridors in Vancouver last May, “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 is building a competitive Gateway economy that is grounded in commercial, educational, cultural, social, security and other partnerships. These partnerships will grow and will help drive more and higher value activities through our gateways.
The strength of our ties to Asia is not a new concept.
From the Prince Rupert Port to the road and rail connections stretching across Western Canada and south to the United States … from the Prince Rupert Port to the markets of Asia, there is a new “silk road” to prosperity being built right here.
Today’s Grand opening represents a major step forward along this road.
Thank you.