Minister Ashfield meets with Atlantic Gateway Advisory Council

MONCTON, NB, May 16, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today met with private sector stakeholders of the Atlantic Gateway Advisory Council to discuss current issues and solutions to ensure the Atlantic Gateway's global competitiveness.

"The Advisory Council provides valuable advice which helps us to shape the implementation of the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor Strategy," said Minister Ashfield. "We believe that Atlantic Canada is uniquely poised to capture additional economic opportunities and we will continue to work together to implement our Atlantic Gateway Strategy that positions Atlantic Canada as a key entry and exit point into and out of North America."

"The Advisory Council welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the Minister to highlight and discuss issues affecting the movement of international trade through and the competitiveness of the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor," said Captain Sidney Hynes, Chair of the Atlantic Gateway Advisory Council.

The Council provided the Minister with a private sector perspective on the Atlantic Gateway supply chain. Updates were also given on key policy and regulatory issues and marketing initiatives. The Minister will continue to meet bi-annually with the Council to foster the ongoing public-private sector partnership necessary to grow international trade to and from Atlantic Canada.

The Atlantic Gateway Advisory Council is a private-sector organization comprised of 13 CEO-level representatives from transportation providers and system users across Atlantic Canada. The Advisory Council works with governments to identify and address the range of issues impacting the competitiveness of the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor. For more information on the Council or the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor Strategy, please visit www.atlanticgateway.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Transport Canada

Barbara Mottram
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Keith Ashfield
Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, Ottawa
613-992-3474

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

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