May 17, 2021 | Category: News Releases

Vancouver, BC—Over four sessions between April 30 and May 14, members of the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC) gathered online for WESTAC’s 2021 Spring Member Forum. Canadian transportation leaders and executives discussed the lasting impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and how to reset priorities in a post-pandemic world based on new imperatives.

WESTAC was honoured to host a great lineup of speakers, including two former ambassadors Bruce Heyman, former U.S. ambassador to Canada and Hon. Frank McKenna, former Canadian ambassador to the U.S.

Speakers highlighted some of the key imperatives that will influence and shape Canada’s future:

• Climate action and environmental responsibility
• The future of Canada’s oil industry
• Canada-U.S. relationship under the Biden administration
• Export markets and the path to recovery
• Supply chain resiliency
   

The discussion indicated a positive outlook for the transportation industry and the broader Canadian economy. Looking toward the growing middle class in emerging markets will prove to be beneficial for Canada. Moreover, taking positive action toward addressing climate change is achievable and can prove economically beneficial for the transportation industry in Canada.

WESTAC's 2021 Compass Report had a similar conclusion, with many respondents indicating the belief that Western Canada’s supply chains are resilient.

Despite the challenges that have emerged from the pandemic, WESTAC President and CEO Lindsay Kislock believes there are reasons for optimism, “Canada is uniquely positioned to emerge from the pandemic stronger due to our abundant clean natural resources. As the world moves toward carbon neutrality, Canada has a competitive advantage to fuel our growth. We need to enhance our supply chains so that Canadian exports become invaluable in the global response to the threat of climate change.”

A complete list of speakers can be found here. In addition, a full report of the 2021 Spring Member Forum will be available to members in June.

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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