December 20, 2017 | Category: News Releases

 

Calgary, Alberta – November 7, 2017 – Over 50 of Canada’s leading transportation organizations gathered in Calgary for the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC) Fall Member Forum. Shippers, railways, ports and terminals, governments and labour leaders discussed major forces coming at the industry and the potential ramifications and opportunities.

Hon. David Marit, Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, Government of Saskatchewan and Chair of WESTAC opened the forum by welcoming members and his provincial and territorial colleagues – Hon. Ron Schuler, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of Manitoba, Hon. Wally Schumann, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of the Northwest Territories.

Speakers highlighted some major economic and social forces impacting the transportation industry:

• Shipping line consolidation
• The Chinese Belt and Road Initiative
• The impact of automation and artificial intelligence
• Corporations’ responses to the nonmarket environment, and
• Changes to how we define and deliver major infrastructure projects.

Economic and social systems that have served us for decades are being reset. Some of the trends that are reshaping the business world and society are doing so on an unprecedented scale and with unforeseen speed,” said Oksana Exell, President & CEO, WESTAC.

This forum helped participants gain a clear-eyed perspective on the future — and encouraged our leaders to adapt, negotiate and prepare their organizations for success.Speakers included: A Senior Advisor with Drewry Maritime Consultants, a former Chief of the World Bank office in Beijing, the Deputy Dean of the Yale School of Management & a 2017 TED Presenter.

See the full agenda here: Fall Forum 2017 Program

Read a summary here: Summary Excerpt

About WESTAC:

The Western Transportation Advisory Council, WESTAC is a Council of major transportation organizations, represented by senior business, labour, and government decision-makers. The members focus on critical issues that affect Western Canada’s freight transportation network to ensure that it is safe, efficient, reliable and competitive.

For more information visit, westac.com or on Twitter @WESTAC

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