November 15, 2018 | Category: News Releases

Vancouver, BC – November 15, 2018 – Pacific Caucus Chair and South Surrey – White Rock, MP Gordon Hogg invited Oksana Exell to participate in a caucus meeting in Vancouver this month.

Given the scope of its membership, WESTAC is well positioned to offer a broad perspective on the shared benefits of a competitive and safe transportation sector. The presentation included highlights on growth opportunities in Asia and results of WESTAC’s Compass Leaders Survey.

Growth opportunities in Asia 2050 (from Asia Pacific Foundation joint report)

• Demographics are shifting, and growth is immense, expect 700 million additional people in Asia by 2050
• Growth is in South Asia – India is projected to pass the USA and become the 2nd largest economy in 2050 (behind China)
• Urbanization and rising wealth will drive increased consumption of many products Canadian exporters are poised to deliver – with the right infrastructure in place 

WESTAC’s Compass Leaders Survey Highlights

The report focused on three recurring themes that all respondents from business, labour and government felt help Canada’s transportation system maintain and gain competitive ground.

• Capacity -- concerns remain high regarding capacity to meet demand; 40% of all respondents have serious concerns
• Communication and data sharing are seen as key to improving individual company and system performance
• Collaboration in long-term planning, especially in finding shared priorities in technology and innovation

WESTAC Member, Global Container Terminals, Vice President Marko Dekovic, accompanied Oksana and updated Caucus on Minister Patty Hajdu’s visit to GCT Vanterm to discuss recently announced changes to federal labour standards that will better protect Canadian workers and help set the stage for good-quality jobs. 

There was an active exchange on capacity issues, including questions on the impact of crude oil moving by rail and truck. One of the more interesting questions was on what opportunities existed in the export of services related to transportation.

MPs in attendance:

• John Aldag, Cloverdale-Langley City, Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying and the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable development.
• Ken Hardie, Fleetwood-Port Kells, Member of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, as well as the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
• Gordie Hogg, South Surrey – White Rock, Chair Pacific Caucus, Member Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
• Hon. Hedy Fry, Vancouver Centre, Director, Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Director, OSCE PA, Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association
• Ron McKinnon, Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, Member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
• Joyce Murray Vancouver-Quadra, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board  
• Hon. Carla Qualtrough, Delta, Minister of Public Service and Procurement and Accessibility
• Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, North Vancouver, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
• Randeep Sarai, Surrey Centre, Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

About WESTAC:

The Western Transportation Advisory Council, WESTAC, is a Council of major transportation organizations, represented by senior business, labour, and government decision-makers. WESTAC’s 50+ members span the modes and sectors of freight transportation: carriers and logistics providers, ports and terminals, shippers, labour unions and the three levels of government. Among others, WESTAC’s members include the largest railways, ports and commodity shippers in the country that represent a significant share of the Western Canadian economy. 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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