April 2, 2012, North Vancouver, B.C. – Premier Christy Clark launched a new transportation
strategy that will expand trading opportunities with Asia and help B.C.
businesses grow and create jobs.
April 2, 2012, North Vancouver, B.C.
– Premier Christy Clark launched a new transportation
strategy that will expand trading opportunities with Asia and help B.C.
businesses grow and create jobs.
"We have a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to take advantage of the fastest growing economy in
history," said Premier Clark. "Asia is right at our doorstep – our ports
are closer than anywhere else in North America. Our government is
making sure we can get our goods to market as efficiently and quickly as
possible and this strategy is a huge part of that plan."
The new
Pacific Gateway Transportation Strategy 2012-2020 will support the key
elements of 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan' to expand markets for
B.C. products and strengthen infrastructure to get goods to market.
"We
are building on our world-class transportation network to support the
growth of exports that create new jobs and opportunities in B.C.," said
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom. "Our vision
is to make B.C. the preferred choice for Asia-Pacific trade and secure a
great economic future for British Columbians."
B.C. has great
business opportunities through the expanding Asian demand for coal,
forest products, potash, grain, minerals, container traffic and the
growth in air travel related to agrifoods, tourism and international
education.
"Neptune Terminals' strategic investments have resulted
in record terminal exports of potash and steelmaking coal, a 20
per-cent increase in jobs at our terminal, and significant additional
growth to come as we complete our expansions," said James Belsheim,
president, Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) Ltd. "We are encouraged by
the new B.C. transportation plan, which supports our investment strategy
and our ability to service our customers."
"Teck has invested
over $1 billion and hired an additional 1,000 people in B.C. over the
last two years to maintain and expand our steelmaking coal, copper and
zinc operations," said Don Lindsay, president and CEO of Teck Resources
Ltd. "We're investing to meet growing demand, particularly in Asia, for
the products we produce. Working with the B.C. government and the other
Pacific Gateway partners, we are creating opportunities for equipment
operators, trades people and professionals across the province."
The
strategy targets $25 billion in new public and private-sector
investment needed to meet this demand – in addition to $22 billion
already committed since 2005. This new investment will create at least
17,000 additional jobs by 2020.
The strategy will:
- Increase
major road and rail capacity, rural resource transportation capacity,
bulk and container terminal capacity at B.C. ports and air passenger and
cargo capacity to meet projected growth through 2020. - Ensure an attractive climate for investment by supporting a reliable labour supply and marketing B.C.'s advantages to the world.
- Enhance
collaboration with partners and stakeholders to integrate industrial
land-use planning, and engage with communities and First Nations.
Learn More:
http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/ourprogress/building-markets-growing-jobs/
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