Western Canada Transportation System Transportation Matters

Transcription

1 Western Canada Transportation System Transportation Matters 10:30 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Nopales Room, Indian Wells Conference Centre (Across from Hyatt Grand Champions Resort) Indian Wells, California, USA AGENDA Panel Presentation & Discussion: Western Canada Transportation System (WCTS) Transportation Matters Moderator, Chris Lorenc, B.A., LL.B., President MHCA a. Jeff Morrison, Executive Director, Roadbuilder & Heavy Construction Council (RBHCC) Federal Transportation Investment Overview; b. Dr. David Fung Vice-Chair, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Association China and the Changing Dynamics of Asian Trade Risks & Opportunities for Western Canada; c. David Colledge, B.Com., President Colledge Transportation Consulting Western Canada Transportation System (WCTS) the Importance of a regional system, regional approach. d. John Engleder, B.Sc., Assistant Deputy Minister, Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation Closing the Funding Gap; e. Panel discussion; and f. Question & Answer. Cwl\c:\WCR&HCA 2006\AGM Agenda WCTS 2006

2 January 10, 2007 Western Canada Transportation System (WCTS) - Backgrounder It is well documented that the economic powerhouses of the future will be the United States, China and India, making Western Canada s strategic location an unparalleled opportunity. But there are risks: our competitors and customers are investing vigorously. If we are to seize this opportunity, we must respond immediately with a reliable and efficient Western Canada Transportation System (WCTS) to these investments. The WCTS Group offers to work collaboratively with the four western transportation ministers and their officials to develop a world-class integrated WCTS with a visible multi-year funding plan. As a core group, we can help to build a regional case, marshal and engage private sector support, and convey the importance of the federal government s partnership and funding responsibility. After many years of under-funding when much of the public infrastructure fell into disrepair, transportation s importance to our economic and trade success and standard of living is becoming widely recognized. Does our collective infrastructure have the quality and capacity to ensure we can capitalize on the economic growth opportunities we see in the next 5, 10 or 20 years? No, I don t believe it does. It s time to turn this vision of an efficient, integrated transportation and trade gateway system into a reality. Fred Green, CPR, November 2006 The need for a world-class system was initially articulated in March 2005 by the Western Transport Ministers who cautioned that the transportation system will not be capable of meeting the needs of citizens, communities and businesses in future unless significant changes are made. Failure to support the very system that makes trade possible jeopardizes the future standard of living for all Canadians. In December 2005 the thirteen provincial and territorial premiers of the Council of the Federation under the leadership of Premier Campbell, produced the report Looking to the Future. They called upon the federal government to participate in developing a new national transportation vision, saying Too much is at stake not to act now. The future well-being of Canadians depends on making transportation infrastructure investment a top priority. In November 2006 the federal report, Advantage Canada: Building a Strong Economy for Canadians, laid out five advantages to help us improve our quality of life and succeed on the world stage. One of these, the Infrastructure Advantage, aims to create modern, world-class infrastructure to ensure the seamless flow of people, goods and services across our roads and bridges, through our ports and gateways, and via our public transit. These initiatives and the results of public polling demonstrate widespread concern about transportation infrastructure and issues. The timing is favourable. Demand is strong, capacity is tight, congestion is growing, and worry about the environment is acute. With a western based Prime Minister, this is the opportune time to persuade the national government to accept the linkages between the emerging Pacific Rim markets and federal participation in funding a modern WCTS to support regional and national economic growth.

3 2 We believe that a western based public-private collaboration is urgently needed to champion the next round of transportation system investments, funding options and solutions. Collectively the undersigned organizations offer immediate access to an enormous base of organizations and stakeholders - regional and national - which depend upon a seamless, efficient transportation system. We believe that a collaborative initiative to address the challenges of infrastructure renewal and funding has the best chance of success. We will solicit active participation of the four western Transportation Ministers in advancing this initiative. Western Canada Transportation System (WCTS) Strategy Group: Colledge Transportation Consulting Inc. - David Colledge, President Canada West Foundation - Dr. Roger Gibbins, President & CEO Organization for Western Economic Cooperation - Dr. Graham Parsons, President Transport Institute, I.H. Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba (UMTI) Dr. Barry Prentice, Director The Van Horne Institute - Peter Wallis, President & CEO Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (WCR&HCA) - Chris Lorenc, B.A., LL.B., President Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC) - Ruth Sol, President WCTS/WCTS Backgrounder Jan 07

4 3 WESTERN CANADA TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM - BACKGROUNDER Time is running short for regions to respond and position themselves for success in the new economic patterns of the 21st century... quality infrastructure is of critical importance to accessing world markets. Michael Gallis, North America s SuperCorridor Coalition (NASCO) Conference, Winnipeg, 2006 Failure to support the very system that makes trade possible jeopardizes the future standard of living for all Canadians. WTM Report, 2005 Key Trends Asia Pacific trade growth opportunities: 1 Container cargo: 9 million TEU by 2020; + 328% Bulk commodities: 95 million tonnes by 2020; + 36% Airport passengers: 28.4 million passengers by 2020; + 73% Air cargo: 441 million tonnes by 2020; + 97% Energy trade examples: Asia Pacific growth could account for 70% of the 53% expected increase in demand for fossil fuels by 2030 $100 billion in new oil field investment occurring in Alberta within 10 years $600 million LNG import facility development in Kitimat 1 Pacific Gateway Strategy Action Plan, April 2006, British Columbia Government Implications Major economic opportunities ahead for all western provinces. Pacific Rim market growth creating pressure to expand the quality and capacity of the transportation system. The Asia Pacific Gateway & Corridor Initiative is responding, but more is needed to coordinate sustained investment across the supply chain in Western Canada. Risks of deferring investment/infrastructure renewal: lower economic growth, less competitive cities, traffic congestion and pollution. Western Canada will either recognize the emerging global trade patterns, move strategically to meet them, or watch others reap the benefits... our economic futures will be dictated by the ability of the transportation system to enable the potential trade benefits. British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Development of Pacific Gateway and inland transportation linkages essential to future economic performance. Economic success depends upon an efficient, seamless multimodal transportation system to support economic activity. Improved transportation infrastructure essential to realizing economic expansion for energy, food value added, diversified manufacturing and links to the U.S. Time-sensitive opportunity to develop mid-continent trade corridor as well as connection to Pacific Gateway.

5 Western Canada Transportation System (WCTS) Group Canada West Foundation (CWF) Dr. Roger Gibbins, President & CEO With the belief that a strong west makes a strong Canada, the CWF is a leading source of strategic insight, conducting and communicating non-partisan economic and public policy research of importance to the four western provinces, the territories, and all Canadians. The CWF does not specialize in transportation policy research. However, it is impossible to pursue our work on the determinants of economic prosperity in western Canada without bringing the regional transportation system into play. As a consequence, we have become increasingly active in promoting an informed policy debate on the regional transportation system. This began when the Foundation hosted the "Building the Dream" regional transportation conference in March 2003, and will continue through the Foundation's work on the policy architecture for regional prosperity. Colledge Transportation Consulting Inc. (CTC) David Colledge, President CTC is a transportation consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and transport policy analysis. The company was founded in 2002 and is led by David Colledge, the former Vice President of WESTAC. CTC has completed several major multimodal planning studies including the B.C. Ports Strategy and the Pacific Gateway Strategy Action Plan for the Province of British Columbia, a Supply Chain Strategy for the Vancouver Port Authority and the Western Canada Transportation Strategy for the Western Transportation Ministers Council. The company has also done assignments for the Manitoba Premier's Economic Advisory Council and the Canadian Wheat Board. Organization for Western Economic Cooperation (OWEC) Dr. Graham Parsons, President The Organization for Western Economic Cooperation was established in 1995 to encourage areas of social and economic cooperation within Western Canada. Today the organization operates as a Regina based think tank engaged on economic issues of interest to the development of western Canada. OWEC President, Dr. Graham Parsons has over thirty years of experience on western Canadian transportation and public policy issues related to agricultural development, grain transportation reform and continental economic trends and from his work with federal and provincial governments, universities and the private sector.

6 2 Transport Institute, I.H. Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba (UMTI) Dr. Barry E. Prentice, Director ( ) The Transport Institute was founded in 1984, as the successor of the Centre for Transportation Studies was established at the University of Manitoba in Over the past 40 years, transportation education has been expanded to include certificate, undergraduate and graduate programs. Research projects span all modes of transport with particular emphasis on trade corridors, intermodal competition and agricultural diversification. UMTI members have served on numerous Task Forces and carried out major studies for the Province of Manitoba providing forecasting and analysis of trade and transportation trends and employment opportunities. As a result of this work, the Institute has developed general expertise in urban transport and regional development, particularly with reference to Western Canada. Van Horne Institute for International Transportation and Regulatory Affairs Peter Wallis, President & CEO The Van Horne Institute was founded in 1991 to act as a catalyst for the development of educational programs and public policy research in transportation and regulated industries. Efficient and low cost transportation services are essential to both industry and the public in our geographically large country, so the evolution of sound industrial strategy, public policy and progressive legislation and regulations are increasing in importance as business in Western Canada moves further towards globalization. The institute is concerned that with the massive trade flows that are predicted to enter Western Canada it becomes critical that we have a strategic policy that will allow the Western Provinces to capitalize on the trade flow from the Pacific Rim. The Pacific Gateway strategy needs to be expanded to embrace and build upon the WTM report. The Institute is pleased to be partnering with the listed organizations to fulfill this objective. Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (WCR&HCA) Chris Lorenc, B.A., LL.B., President The Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (WCR&HCA) was founded in 1943 to speak to and advocate for sustained and sustainable investment in Canada s transportation and municipal infrastructure. As far back as 1945 it called for federal government responsibility to fund national highways. In 1993 it began lobbying at the national and regional levels and in partnership with a variety of stakeholder organizations, the merits of federal funding and policy leadership related to national highways, municipal infrastructure program and strategic infrastructure investment. The WCR&HCA represents the heavy construction industry in western Canada. Its membership is reflected though the roadbuilder and heavy construction associations located in each of the four western provinces.

7 3 Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC) Ruth Sol, President WESTAC is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the Western Canadian economy through improvements in transportation. WESTAC applauds the work of the Western Transport Ministers. Their recent report is a well thought out, systematic attempt at developing a modern, integrated, multimodal transport system to serve the needs of western Canadians and all Canadians. WESTAC represents senior business, labour and government decision-makers. The Council is interested in sharing ideas to improve the transportation supply chain and promoting transportation as a critical sector supporting trade, jobs and our high standard of living. WCTS/WCTS Stakeholder Group

8 Mr. Jeff Morrison, M.A. Executive Director, The Road and Infrastructure Program of Canada (TRIP Canada) Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Canadian Construction Association Jeff Morrison was born on February 17, 1971 in Toronto, Ontario. In 1976, he moved to Elliot Lake, Ontario, a uranium mining town located in Northern Ontario. He graduated as an Ontario Scholar from Elliot Lake Secondary School, and moved to Ottawa, Ontario where he completed his B.A. in Political Science, and went on to earn a Masters degree in science politique canadienne (Canadian Political Science) from the University of Ottawa. While at university and for several years after the completion of his studies, Jeff worked for several Members of Parliament in various communications, policy, and research roles. In 1998, he joined the Association of Universities and Colleges as a Public Affairs Officer. In 2000, he was hired by the Canadian Construction Association as Director of Communications. In 2002, Director of Environment was added to his responsibilities, and in 2003, he took over the role of Executive Director of The Road and Infrastructure Program of Canada (TRIP Canada), while still retaining his responsibilities for environment. In 2006, he was also appointed Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs. Jeff has held many other positions. In 1988, at the age of 18, he organized the first-ever Elliot Lake Terry Fox Run for cancer research, an event still on-going today. In 2002, he co-founded the Ottawa Hockey Helps charity series, and in 2002, became a Joints in motion team member for the Arthritis Society. IN he was an active fundraiser for Operation Go Home, an Ottawa-based charity. He has been published in two academic books on the subject of infrastructure, and has appeared numerous times on TV, radio, and print media to discuss issues related to the construction sector. He has run 4 marathons, including the Athens Marathon in November WCR&HCA 2006/Bio-Morrison

9 Dr. David T. Fung Dr. Fung is Chairman and CEO of the ACDEG Group of companies. He has investment partnerships in forest products, biomass energy, chemicals, electrical power cogeneration, agricfoods, OEM part manufacturing and packaging waste recycling in North America, Europe and Asia. He obtained hi Bachelor, Masters and Doctorate Degrees in chemical engineering from McGill University in Montreal and completed the senior business executive program at Queen s University in Kingston, Ontario. Dr. Fung is currently a member of the Ministerial Strategic Advisory Group of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, a member of the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, president of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering, chair of the Manufacturing 20/20 Implementation Steering Group and first Vice-Chair of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Canada. He is also a member of the national board of directors and executive committee of the Canada China Business Council. WCR&HCA 2006/Bio-Fung

10 David D. Colledge David Colledge has 24 years experience in multimodal freight and passenger transportation. He is the former Vice President of the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC) and now President of Colledge Transportation Consulting Inc. (CTC). CTC is a strategic planning, policy analysis and research firm located in Vancouver. This year marks the company s fifth year of operations. CTC has completed some of the leading work on gateways and trade corridors including its role as lead consultant in: the B.C. Ports Strategy, the Pacific Gateway Strategy Action Plan (required infrastructure investments to meet cargo demand growth to 2020), a Supply Chain Strategy for the Port of Vancouver and the Western Canada Transportation Infrastructure Strategy for the Western Transportation Ministers Council. David has been involved in many consulting assignments for the private sector, federal/provincial government transportation policy and safety reviews and Royal Commissions. While at WESTAC he authored several major publications to raise the profile and awareness among Canadians of the economic importance of transportation and the need for sustainable reinvestment in infrastructure. WCR&HCA 2006/Bio-Colledge

11 BIOGRAPHY JOHN ENGLEDER John is currently the Acting Assistant Deputy Minister of the Transportation and Civil Engineering Division of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation. The Division is responsible for planning, programming, design, construction and maintenance of Alberta s provincial highway system. The Division also administers municipal grant programs for transportation and water/wastewater. Prior to his current role, John was Regional Director with the department for the Peace Region. John received a B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) in 1977 and a B.Sc. (Physics) in 1979 from the University of Saskatchewan.