Kudos to Ottawa for port support

Re: Port of Vancouver gets $167 million in infrastructure investment from Ottawa for three projects, June 22

Ottawa’s recent $167-million investment in the Port of Vancouver and our region’s trade-enabling infrastructure is a meaningful and significant step in the right direction.

The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest port, handling more volume annually than Canada’s next four largest ports combined. It is the anchor of Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and a key economic driver for the Lower Mainland.

As identified in the Greater Vancouver Economic Scorecard 2018, which we released this spring, our proximity to Asian markets and participation in the CPTPP gives us a strategic advantage. Uncertainty around NAFTA further underscores the importance of strengthening trade relationships with other markets. However, we need ongoing investment in our region’s trade-enabling infrastructure as well as collaboration between industry and government to mitigate risks and capitalize on these opportunities.

Closer to home, this federal funding will also drive local benefits. One in five jobs in B.C. is tied to the export industry. Port activities alone sustain more than 96,000 jobs across B.C.

The federal government should be applauded for its investment and leadership in this space, which will improve supply chain efficiency, reduce the adverse impacts of trade activities on local communities, and enhance our global competitiveness. Iain Black, president and CEO, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.