November 22, 2023 | Category: News Releases

Vancouver, BC—2023 has been a landmark year for WESTAC. This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Council’s inception, and it has been a year of substantial growth within the membership. In particular, WESTAC welcomed six new members, pushing the total membership to a record-breaking 60.

Over 110 transportation leaders gathered in Vancouver to attend the annual Fall Member Forum. The Forum’s theme focused on “The Road to Sustainability” and hosted an impressive array of guest speakers.

Lindsay Kislock, WESTAC’s President and CEO, opened the Forum, recognizing the significance of WESTAC in bringing together leaders to collaborate and generate solutions for transportation challenges. Speakers provided members with unique insights and explored the theme of the road to sustainability, starting from a big-picture overview to innovations in the industry.

WESTAC was honoured to have Robert D. Kaplan, world-renowned geopolitical expert and bestselling author, address our members. He provided a global outlook amidst rising geopolitical tensions and delivered thought-provoking remarks highlighting the complex interplay between the earth’s finite resources and climate change on political regimes.

Two years on from the atmospheric rivers that cut off Vancouver’s lower mainland from the rest of the country, the Hon. Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Government of British Columbia, moderated a session on investment in resiliency, which featured Heather Paddock, from the Colorado Department of Transportation, as a guest speaker. The panel discussion highlighted Colorado’s resiliency program and its relevance to British Columbia’s journey in anticipating, preparing for and adapting to changing weather patterns. Heather was joined by Kenedee Ludwar, Executive Director, Engineering Services, BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure and CN’s Chief Engineer, Rahim Karmali, who briefed members on how the railways are building resiliency.

The Forum also featured speakers from BlackRock, McKinsey & Company, Transport Canada, Canada Infrastructure Bank, HDR, Seaspan Energy, CPKC, Air Canada and InnovateBC.

The day concluded with a reception where we welcomed current and past colleagues to celebrate 50 years of forward-thinking transportation. This Forum marked the retirement of long-standing Honorary Director Kevin Doyle. Kevin was involved with WESTAC for 49 years, including 25 years as an Honorary Director.

A complete list of speakers can be found here. A proceedings report will be available to members in the coming weeks.

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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, sustainable and competitive.

For more information, please contact:
Marzia Rizvi
Manager, Program Development & Communications
mrizvi@westac.com