Surrey, BC, July 19, 2017 — A lack of strategic investment in the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor is hindering Canada’s access to market and competitiveness, says a new report by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, released with the Surrey Board of Trade and 450 Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade across Canada.
The new report (https://businessinsurrey.com/policy/economic-policy-reports/) released today is titled Stuck in Traffic for 10,000 Years: Canadian Problems that Infrastructure Investment Can Solve that examines the effects of various deficiencies in infrastructure, ranging from access to broadband internet to improving the Ontario-Québec trade corridor with the U.S., lack of new pipelines and the unexplored potential of Canada’s North.
The full list of infrastructure challenges include:
· Facilitating trade through the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor
· Improved digital access and investment across Canada
· Maximizing the potential of Northern communities and businesses
· Enhancing the Quebec-Ontario trade corridor
· Getting oil and gas to global markets
· Green electrification and transmission
“Asia-Pacific economies will be the fastest growing export markets for Canadian goods in the decade ahead. In order for companies to integrate into global supply chains, we need to improve coordination of public-private infrastructure investment in one of our nation’s most critical trade routes,” said Perrin Beatty, CEO and President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber’s report, titled Facilitating Trade Through the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor examines the challenges facing Canada’s west coast trade network and makes recommendations to improve capacity.
“The Surrey Board of Trade welcomes this report especially in light of a new provincial government and needed transportation investments in Metro Vancouver. Surrey itself will be the largest city in British Columbia very soon and is waiting for needed transportation infrastructure to reduce congestion and move people and goods more efficiently,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade.
“Businesses would benefit from the federal government taking a greater leadership role, better information sharing and a renewed Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative” Mr. Beatty said. “As MPs tour Canada this summer making infrastructure announcements, we need to ask, are these investments being spent in the right places?” he concluded.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the vital connection between business and the federal government. It helps shape public policy and decision-making to the benefit of businesses, communities and families across Canada with a network of over 450 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, representing 200,000 businesses of all sizes in all sectors of the economy and in all regions. News and information are available at Chamber.ca or follow us on Twitter @CdnChamberofCom.
The Surrey Board of Trade supports, attracts and activates business, through economic, workforce, trade, advocacy connections and community planning initiatives through its 6,000 business contacts, 2400 businesses, representing 60,000 employees.
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