GOVERNMENT OF CANADA PURSUES LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC
GATEWAY

VANCOUVER, Nov. 19 /CNW/ - Today the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, led a conference of international stakeholders examining the Gateway's future. As a sign of the importance of Canada's trading relationship with Asia-Pacific countries, China's Minister of Transport, Li Shenglin, also joined him.

"Canada is already a leader in transportation innovation policies related to the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative and this unique conference brings together those with national and international experience to help us stay that way," said Minister Day. "The discussions and knowledge sharing discussed here will help guide us as we enter the next phase of this important initiative for Canada's economy and the workers who depend on it."

The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) Conference focuses on issues directly relevant to Canada's gateways approach, including value-added activities, innovative technologies and engagement of Canada's key trading partners, such as China. The conference will enhance the Government of Canada's knowledge of current and future challenges and opportunities. It will also encourage long-term thinking to support and guide wise policy and investment decisions.

"Our government recognizes that Canada's economic prosperity is linked to an efficient and integrated transportation network," said Minister Day. "This conference offers an opportunity to promote and deepen collaborative partnerships among stakeholders in Canada and abroad, opening up new opportunities to advance Canada's gateways and corridors."

The APGCI is an initiative aimed at making Canada's Pacific Gateway the best transportation network for global supply chains between North America and Asia. To date, the Government of Canada has partnered with all four western provinces, as well as with municipalities and the private sector, to announce strategic infrastructure projects worth over $3.5 billion, including federal contributions of over $1.4 billion. The first APGCI International Conference was held in Vancouver in May 2007.

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Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative

The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor is a network of transportation infrastructure, including British Columbia'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 aims to take advantage of Canada's strategic location at the crossroads between the North American marketplace and the booming economies of Asia.

On October 11, 2006, Prime Minister Harper announced the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) with an initial investment of $591 million. A further commitment of $410 million was made in Budget 2007, bringing total federal funding for the Initiative to more than $1 billion. The APGCI is a long-term effort, focusing on infrastructure, policy, governance and operational issues together under a single multimodal, system-based, public-private strategy.

In an era of rapidly moving and integrated global supply chains, policies and investments must consider entire transportation systems that connect, for example, Asia with North America's economic heartland. In this context, making the right investments anywhere along the system benefits all who rely on it and not just those in jurisdictions where dollars are invested.

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.

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