Tours for Chambers of Commerce

Transcription

1 Tours for Chambers of Commerce Natural resources are the foundation of the Canadian economy. However, Canadians living in urban areas do not always see the link between their prosperity and resource developments located hundreds of miles away. We organized tours for executives of chambers of commerce our resource champions to learn more about the resource sectors, generate awareness of the benefits of natural resources in parts of Canada that would not normally hear of these sectors and build business connections. Following these tours, the executives returned to their chambers of commerce to report to their members and communities on what they learned. Gateway to Asia Tour In late September, we organized a tour to the west coast of British Columbia to learn about the opportunities and challenges facing the local energy, mining, forestry and fishing industries. This tour gave chamber executives the opportunity to learn about the key issues regarding B.C. s export infrastructure, which is essential to the economic prosperity of the entire country. As the gateway to the rapidly growing economies of Asia, B.C. s export infrastructure will play a key role in Canada s ability to diversify its export markets and create economic ties to the region that will drive future economic growth. While on the tour, chamber executives were encouraged to take photographs and share their experiences through Twitter using the hashtag #GatewayToAsiaTour. What follows are highlights from the Twitter campaign. We would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support.

2 Twitter Campaign #GatewayToAsiaTour Prince Rupert Container Terminal Prince Rupert is positioned perfectly for growth; this terminal will be the home of choice for Canada s resource shipments, IF heavy infrastructure investments are made. The world needs the resources we have NOW but they re getting it somewhere else. Greg Durocher, President & CEO, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Ridley Coal Terminal It was a privilege to learn more about the growing economies of Asia and how B.C. s export infrastructure is playing an increasingly key role in our country s ability to diversify our export markets, while creating economic ties between provinces. Caroline Grover, CEO, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Highlights from the #GatewaytoAsiaTour Twitter Campaign The Canadian Chamber of Commerce 2

3 Briefing at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada It became clear through many of the discussions that access to markets is the biggest challenge that Canada and all industries face. Kathleen Connolly, Executive Director, Dawson Creek & District Chamber of Commerce Briefing on the Prince Rupert Grain Terminal The Chamber group was struck again and again by the staggering resilience of these hard working communities and the unwavering belief these companies have in maintaining their workforce and standing behind their investments. Caroline Grover, CEO, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Highlights from the #GatewaytoAsiaTour Twitter Campaign The Canadian Chamber of Commerce 3

4 LNG Canada Proposed Facility LNG liquefied natural gas will only be exported out of our B.C. ports. They are closest to our customers. Greg Durocher, President & CEO, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Gateway to Asia Tour Participants Chambers across Canada need to work closely to have a unified message and ensure their regions understand and support the effects of resource development. Dione Chambers, Executive Director, Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Highlights from the #GatewaytoAsiaTour Twitter Campaign The Canadian Chamber of Commerce 4

5 Grand Hale Sea Urchins Ready for Market [I am] impressed to learn that harvested sea urchins go from water to markets in Japan within four days! That is outstanding. Dione Chambers, Executive Director, Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce The commitment to working under the strictest federal government regulations and their passion for improving environmental conditions was evident and credible. Caroline Grover, CEO, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Highlights from the #GatewaytoAsiaTour Twitter Campaign The Canadian Chamber of Commerce 5

6 Heavy infrastructure investment needs to be made to get our resources to market. Greg Durocher, President & CEO, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce We have an opportunity to share our rich natural resources with the world. Brenda Johnson, Executive Director, Spruce Grove & District Chamber of Commerce Highlights from the #GatewaytoAsiaTour Twitter Campaign The Canadian Chamber of Commerce 6

7 Prince Rupert Grain Terminal [Prince Rupert Grain Terminal] is one of our country s greatest assets in food that feeds millions. Brenda Johnson, Executive Director, Spruce Grove& District Chamber of Commerce It is imperative that government create mechanisms to support international growth and assist in the development of domestic infrastructure. Kathleen Connolly, Executive Director, Dawson Creek & District Chamber of Commerce Highlights from the #GatewaytoAsiaTour Twitter Campaign The Canadian Chamber of Commerce 7

8 Fishing, along with forestry is another good news story from B.C. The forest coverage is the same as 100 years ago due to replanting. Caroline Grover, CEO, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Highlights from the #GatewaytoAsiaTour Twitter Campaign The Canadian Chamber of Commerce 8

9 Rio Tinto Smelter as Seen from a Distance This is a world-class facility that I had no idea existed in Northern B.C. Dione Chambers, Executive Director, Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Douglas Channel, Kitimat Rio Tinto s huge upgrade of its smelter in Kitimat (seen here from the banks of the Douglas Channel) has done little to disturb the natural environment salmon are still running in the creeks just a few hundred yards away. Warren Everson, Senior Vice President, Policy, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Highlights from the #GatewaytoAsiaTour Twitter Campaign The Canadian Chamber of Commerce 9

10 We need to be competitive now and ensure government makes every [effort] to ensure our natural resource products get to ports so that we can compete globally for the Asian markets. Brenda Johnson, Executive Director, Spruce Grove & District Chamber of Commerce The Gateway to Asia Tour Participants Dione Chambers, Executive Director, Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Kathleen Connolly, Executive Director, Dawson Creek & District Chamber of Commerce Tim Creedon, Executive Director, Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce Greg Durocher, President & CEO, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Warren Everson, Senior Vice President, Policy, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Caroline Grover, CEO, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Curtis Hemming, Director of Government Relations, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Brenda Johnson, President & CEO, Spruce Grove & District Chamber of Commerce Carol O Reilly, CEO, Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce Karla Pyrch, Executive Director, Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Bill Saunders, CEO, Belleville Chamber of Commerce Highlights from the #GatewaytoAsiaTour Twitter Campaign The Canadian Chamber of Commerce 10