November 18, 2020 | Category: News Releases

The Honourable Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation, Government of Alberta, opened WESTAC's Fall Member Forum last month with a reminder for the industry to be flexible and nimble as we deal with challenging circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID-19 highlighted in stark terms just how interdependent the world is when it comes to supply chains. It also highlights the need for positive and collaborative relationships between all levels of government, shippers and carriers to ensure that goods and supplies are getting to consumers,” he said.

“The transportation industry, whether rail, air or ground transportation, is very interconnected. We need to make sure our transportation systems support each other – by building trade corridors to connect ground transportation to airports and intermodal facilities.”

With the uniqueness of this year’s online format for the Forum, WESTAC was able to bring together a wide range of world-renowned speakers. The Forum was spread across two weeks, with two sessions per week. Though Forums are traditionally limited to the Official and Alternate Representatives to the Council, this year WESTAC took the opportunity to open each session to other executives within WESTAC member organizations.  

Shippers, railways, ports and terminals, governments and labour leaders gathered online to discuss challenges and opportunities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Members were able to ask speakers questions through live Q&A discussions and also through extended breakout sessions.

“WESTAC has been the council for senior-level discussions on issues that affect the western transportation network for nearly 50 years, and we are proud to play such an important role for our members and the transportation industry at large through our semi-annual member forums,” said WESTAC Interim President Lisa Baratta.

A full report of the 2020 Fall Member Forum will be available to members in December. A complete list of speakers can be found here.

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About WESTAC:

The Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC) is a council of organizations in the transportation sector represented by senior decision-makers. WESTAC’s members span all aspects of freight transportation in Canada. They include carriers and logistics providers, ports and terminals, shippers, labour unions, and the three levels of government. Members represent a significant share of the western Canadian economy. We 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, please contact:
Marzia Rizvi
Manager, Program Development & Communications
mrizvi@westac.com