GHY Tradelines

(Transport Canada)

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, along with Ray LaHood, Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, and Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, released today the first-ever joint Canada-United States Border Infrastructure Investment Plan (BIIP).  The development and release of this initiative fulfills a commitment made under the 2011 Canada-United States Beyond the Border Action Plan.

“Modern border crossings are essential to the efficient flow of trade and travellers, which is why the Border Infrastructure Investment Plan and the collaborative relationship with our American neighbours are so important,” said Minister Lebel. “Our government is investing in border crossings, ports and gateways to reduce wait times, increase trade and create jobs.”

“This first, joint U.S.-Canada binational plan shows that our collaborative approach to border planning, which includes feedback from our local partners, will serve both of our countries well and ensures that we are working together on our common interests,” said Secretary LaHood. Read more here.
 

(Transport Canada)

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today welcomed the passage of the Fair Rail Freight Service Act Bill by the House of Commons.

“Our government is pleased to see that another significant step has been reached regarding this important legislation,” said Minister Lebel. “Once adopted, this new Act will contribute positively to relations between shippers and railway companies, and enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and reliability of the entire rail freight supply”.

Once adopted, the Fair Rail Freight Service Act will encourage shippers and railways to negotiate service agreements. If these negotiations are not successful, shippers will be able to trigger a fast and efficient arbitration process to establish terms of service through the Canadian Transportation Agency. The goal of the legislation is to encourage railways and shippers to work together. Through enhanced collaboration, shippers and railways can increase the efficiency of the supply chain. The Act will help strengthen the Canadian economy and make Canada more competitive in international trade.

An administrative monetary penalty of up to $100,000 could be issued by the Canadian Transportation Agency for each violation of an arbitrated service level agreement.

Further details about Fair Rail Freight Service can be found here.
 

(Vanessa Lu — Toronto Star)

The federal government is wading into a long-standing dispute between freight shippers and the country’s biggest railways, threatening big fines for poor service.

Transport Minister Denis Lebel and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz on Tuesday announced the introduction of a new bill that would give companies that ship goods by rail the right to a service agreement with railways. And it will create an arbitration process to establish an agreement when commercial negotiations fail.

“This bill will help shippers maintain and grow their businesses while ensuring that railways can manage an efficient shipping network for everyone,” Lebel said in a news release.

Both CN and CP argue such legislation is unnecessary and will stifle innovation. They argue there is no evidence of systemic performance issues that would warrant government intervention. Read more here.
 

(CBC News)

Proposal 6 voted down in U.S. election, paving way for new international crossing

Canadian Transport Minister Denis Lebel said the path is now clear for a new bridge to be constructed between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, after Michigan voters were asked to weigh in on whether they should have a say in such a project.

During U.S. elections Tuesday, Michigan voters defeated Proposal 6, which would have called for a statewide vote on plans for any new international crossing, including the proposed new bridge over the Detroit River. Slightly more than 60 per cent of voters turned down the proposal, which would have been entrenched in the state’s constitution.

Proposal 6 was one of the final hurdles that needed to be cleared for the building of a new bridge to proceed, and provide competition for the 83-year-old Ambassador Bridge, Canada’s busiest border crossing, owned by billionaire Matty Moroun.

Lebel said the bridge will now be built “as soon as possible.” Read more here.
 

(Transport Canada)

The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), joined by John S. Pistole, Transportation Security Administration’s Administrator, today announced the extension of the US TSA pre-check lanes to Canadian NEXUS members, making air travel smarter and faster within the United States.

As of November 15, 2012, Canadians who are members of the NEXUS program travelling within the U.S will be able to use their NEXUS cards for expedited screening at 27 participating U.S. airports.

“The Government of Canada and the United States are delivering on commitments to include Canadian NEXUS members in designated TSA pre-checklanes as part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan,” said Minister Fletcher. “This will mean smarter and faster air travel for Canadian NEXUS members traveling within the U.S., while maintaining a high level of aviation security.”

“TSA is committed to expanding TSA pre-check benefits to a growing passenger population in an effort to strengthen transportation security through risk-based methods,” said Mr. Pistole. “The inclusion of Canadian NEXUS members in TSA pre-check is an important step in further harmonizing the security screening process between the U.S. and Canada.”

NEXUS is a joint program between Canada and the U.S. for pre-approved travellers to simplify border crossing while enhancing security. When travelling by air, NEXUS saves time by allowing members to use automated self-serve kiosks. The extension of this program is a result of the Beyond the Border Action Plan announced earlier this year by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama. Furthermore, this announcement supports border initiatives under the Action Plan, which aims to create jobs and growth in Canada and the U.S. by improving the flow of people between our two countries.

The Government of Canada encourages Canadians to apply for NEXUS to take advantage of the benefits. Details can be found at: www.nexus.gc.ca.

To find out how NEXUS members can access the TSA pre-check lane and a list of participating U.S. airports please visit:www.tsa.gov.
 

(Air Cargo World News)

The U.S. and Canadian governments have agreed to mutually recognize each other’s airfreight screening protocols. Under a new agreement, belly-hold cargo screened in either the U.S. or Canada won’t have to be re-screened once it’s uploaded on a passenger aircraft in the other nation.

According to a press release issued by Canadian authorities, this initiative will reduce delays, as well as lower costs associated with screening. After all, the press release explained, nearly half of airfreight flown in Canada is transported on passenger craft. Read more here.
 

(CBSA)

1. This notice is to clarify the border declaration procedure for new Canadian specification vehicles (Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) compliant) being imported into Canada from foreign countries, including the United States.

2. Please note that NEW Canadian specification vehicles bearing a valid Canadian Statement of Compliance label cannot be entered into the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) Program.

a. A vehicle is considered “NEW” when it is purchased directly from a manufacturer. Acquisition documents must clearly indicate a purchase at the manufacturing level. Vehicles purchased at the retail level in the United States are not considered “NEW”.

b. A “Canadian specification vehicle” is defined as a vehicle built to Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and bearing a Canadian Statement of Compliance to that effect.

3. When a NEW Canadian specification vehicle is presented, authorization must be confirmed by consulting Appendix F or G of Departmental Memorandum D19-12-1, Importation of Vehicles, to ensure that the importer is listed as an authorized Canadian importer for the vehicle being imported.

4. When the importer is listed in Appendix F, or the importer and manufacturer are listed in Appendix G proceed as usual as outlined in D19-12-1.

5. When the importer is not listed in Appendix F, or the importer and manufacturer are not listed in Appendix G, the entry requires an authorization letter from Transport Canada and can only be released in the presence of such a letter.

6. The entry for new Canadian specification vehicles is documented using Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 and proper care must be taken to identify a commercial importation (imported for resale) by completing section 16-A, or a casual importation (imported for personal/private use) by completing section 16-B. Companies who import for their own use (not for resale) are considered private importers. A sample of the Form 1 can be found in Appendix C of Memorandum D19-12-1.

7. If an importer is not listed on Appendix G, border service officers are asked to add a note besides box 16-A, or box 16-B (depending on the nature of the importation) indicating that a letter of authorization was received from Transport Canada, and include a photocopy of the authorization with the Form 1.

8. It is the importer’s responsibility to obtain authorization from Transport Canada prior to presenting the vehicle for importation at the border. If no acceptable authorization from Transport Canada is provided, the vehicle is to be denied entry.

9. As a reminder, Transport Canada does not regulate vehicles 15 years old or older, or buses manufactured before January 1, 1971. Such entries are documented as exempt from the RIV program and by selecting “Vehicle fifteen years old or older etc. …” under Section 16 of the Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 (box 16-C).

10. For additional information regarding this notice, please contact:

Canada Border Services Agency
OGD Programs Unit, Border Programs Directorate
150 Isabella Street, 5th floor, Ottawa ON K1A 0L8
Telephone: 613-946-0240 , Fax: 613-946-1520
 

(CBSA)

This memorandum has been revised to clarify and update Transport Canada’s tire import requirements, the requirements of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and includes instructions on how to import tires using the Accelerated Commercial Release Operation Support System (ACROSS). Read more here.
 

(The Globe and Mail – Steven Chase)

The Canadian government will be on the hook if a multibillion-dollar bridge project between Detroit and Windsor fails to attract sufficient traffic, briefing notes show – a guarantee that demonstrates how desperate Ottawa is to speed commerce through this vital trade link.

Documents prepared for Transport Minister Denis Lebel acknowledge Ottawa could end up footing the bill for more than just its share of building the bridge if toll revenue from the planned New International Trade Crossing falls short.   The Canadian government is so keen to get the link built it’s already offered to pay Michigan’s $550-million portion of the new bridge, which would later be repaid from toll revenue.

Political approval for the crossing from the state of Michigan is the last big hurdle for the project, the most important border infrastructure project in the works for Canada. About 25% of the annual merchandise trade between this country and the United States crosses between Windsor and Detroit. Read more here.
 

(Transport Canada)

The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), and Ann Gray, vice-chair of the board of directors of Blue Water Bridge Canada, joined with community leaders and border agency representatives today to celebrate the completion of improvements at the Blue Water Bridge, one of the country’s busiest cross-border bridges.

“The Canadian Plaza of the Blue Water Bridge is an essential link between Canada and the United States,” said Minister Fletcher. “The Government of Canada’s investment will help reduce traffic congestion and improve trade.”

“Federal funding was an important factor that allowed Blue Water Bridge Canada to complete its infrastructure projects in a timely manner. This will ensure that this vital cross-border facility provides a safe, efficient and enjoyable experience for our customers today and into the future,” said Ann Gray.

Improvements to the Canadian Plaza are the result of a joint effort by the Government of Canada and Blue Water Bridge Canada, each of which has contributed up to $10 million to this major project. The work involved widening the plaza to accommodate the widening of Highway 402. It also included constructing new Canada Border Services Agency inspection booths and installing a dynamic messaging system to provide real-time information to commercial and passenger traffic. New storm water management pumping stations and improved communications, lighting and electrical systems have also been completed.

Federal funding for this project came from the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund. The Government of Canada accelerated its contribution under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, making it possible to complete the improvements sooner. This much-needed stimulus will help reduce traffic congestion, facilitate local border crossings, and complement recent and planned investments by the U.S. on its side of the border. Through such investments, the Government of Canada creates jobs, stimulates the economy, supports Canada’s competitiveness, strengthens the integrity of federal infrastructure and improves the safety of the travelling public.

The Canadian half of the Blue Water Bridge is owned and operated by Blue Water Bridge Canada, a federal Crown corporation. With approximately 5,000 commercial vehicles crossing the bridge daily, it is Canada’s second-busiest international commercial crossing for trucks and is the third busiest for total vehicles. This crossing is a key component of the Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway and Trade Corridor.
 

(Canadian Transportation & Logistics – Lou Smyrlis)

Shippers expect modest growth in shipments by most modes in 2011. They also expect to be faced with small increases in rates and fuel surcharges. These are some of the findings of the sixth annual benchmarking survey undertaken by Dr. Alan Saipe of Supply Chain Surveys Inc. for CITA, with the sponsorship of RBC Capital Markets and the support of Transport Canada and Nulogx Inc.

The annual survey is designed to give the CITA membership benchmarks with which to assist in evaluating their transportation and logistics activities.

A few of the highlights are:

• Shippers were more focused on cost reduction and profit growth this year than in recent years
• Shippers found that Service quality in most modes improved in both 2009 and again in 2010. A factor in quality gains will be volume reductions compared to 2008.

Read more here.

(Transport Canada)

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade, today announced that Canada and Qatar have successfully concluded an air transport agreement that allows for direct scheduled air services between the two countries for the first time.

“This agreement responds to the needs of the Canada-Qatar travel market and puts in place a framework that allows more convenient, direct air services,” said Minister Strahl. “This is a first but important step in developing Canada-Qatar air relations.”

The agreement provides opportunities for airlines to operate flights between Canada and Qatar, as well as the flexibility to adjust prices between Canada and Qatar according to market forces. Airlines may also choose to offer air services using the flights of other airlines, commonly known as code-sharing services. The air transport agreement contains strong provisions dealing with aviation safety and security, reflecting their importance. Read more here.

(Transport Canada)

The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Dr. Kenneth E. Loucks, chair of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, today celebrated the completion of the central plaza building at the Queenston-Lewiston International Bridge.

“The Government of Canada is proud to have invested in the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, one of the busiest Canada-U.S. border crossings,” said Minister Nicholson. “Investments in the Queenston Plaza will help to reduce traffic congestion, facilitate local border crossings and improve this important trade link in the Niagara region.”

“Completion of the Queenston central plaza building on the northernmost of our three bridges will provide even more rapid border crossings for our cars, trucks and buses moving into Canada,” said Dr. Loucks. “As a binational commission, we work extremely hard to provide the highest-quality services to aid and guide the motorists who use our bridges. This building is another example of the success of that effort.” […]

The Queenston-Lewiston Bridge is the fourth-busiest Canada-U.S. commercial land border crossing and a key component of the Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway and Trade Corridor. In 2009, bridge traffic included approximately 675,000 commercial trucks and over 2.6 million cars. Read more here,

(Transport Canada)

Today [Friday] the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, led a conference of international stakeholders examining the Gateway’s future. As a sign of the importance of Canada’s trading relationship with Asia-Pacific countries, China’s Minister of Transport, Li Shenglin, also joined him.

“Canada is already a leader in transportation innovation policies related to the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative and this unique conference brings together those with national and international experience to help us stay that way,” said Minister Day. “The discussions and knowledge sharing discussed here will help guide us as we enter the next phase of this important initiative for Canada’s economy and the workers who depend on it.”

The Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) Conference focuses on issues directly relevant to Canada’s gateways approach, including value added activities, innovative technologies and engagement of Canada’s key trading partners, such as China. The conference will enhance the Government of Canada’s knowledge of current and future challenges and opportunities. It will also encourage long term thinking to support and guide wise policy and investment decisions.

“Our government recognizes that Canada’s economic prosperity is linked to an efficient and integrated transportation network,” said Minister Day. “This conference offers an opportunity to promote and deepen collaborative partnerships among stakeholders in Canada and abroad, opening up new opportunities to advance Canada’s gateways and corridors.”

The APGCI is an initiative aimed at making Canada’s Pacific Gateway the best transportation network for global supply chains between North America and Asia. To date, the Government of Canada has partnered with all four western provinces, as well as with municipalities and the private sector, to announce strategic infrastructure projects worth over $3.5 billion, including federal contributions of over $1.4 billion. The first APGCI International Conference was held in Vancouver in May 2007.

(CBC News)

Canada has banned all air cargo originating from Yemen in the wake of last week’s discovery of explosive material on flights bound for the United States. The ban was not instituted based on intelligence specific to Canada, said Transport Minister Chuck Strahl. It is instead an interim measure to keep people safe while the government decides what further steps might be necessary, he said. Read more here.

pspan style=”font-family:’Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’;”span style=”font-size:85%;”(Marine Log)?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /o:p/o:p/span/span/ppspan style=”font-family:’Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’;font-size:10;”Jim Flaherty, Canada’s Minister of Finance, has announced a waiver of Canada’s 25 percent import tariff on imports of all general cargo vessels and tankers, as well as ferries longer than 129 meters. o:p/o:p/span/ppspan style=”font-family:’Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’;font-size:10;”Remitting the 25-per-cent tariff is expected to save shipowners $25 million per year over the next decade. o:p/o:p/span/ppspan style=”font-family:’Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’;font-size:10;”“This duty relief will accelerate the renewal of the Canadian marine fleet across the country and will help replace aging vessels with cleaner, safer and more efficient ships,” said the Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “All the while, it will build on unprecedented investments our Government has made in Canada’s infrastructure and gateways by contributing to the upgrading of marine transportation links across the country.” o:p/o:p/span/ppspan style=”font-family:’Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’;font-size:10;”Under the Customs Tariff imported ships are subject to a tariff rate of 25 per cent, the highest rate of duty for industrial goods. Read more a href=”http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMIX/2010oct00040.html”span style=”color:#0000ff;”here/span/a. o:p/o:p/span/p

pstrongspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold”(Today’s Trucking) ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /o:p/o:p/span/strong/ppspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 10pt”John Baird, who as Canadian transport minister was overseeing important initiatives like a href=”http://www.todaystrucking.com/news.cfm?intDocID=23729″ target=”_blank”span style=”COLOR: #3366ff”electronic on-board recorders/span/a and a new international bridge to the U.S., has been moved to the post of government House Leader in a cabinet shakeup.o:p/o:p/span/ppspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 10pt”Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that a href=”http://www.chuckstrahl.com/” target=”_blank”span style=”COLOR: #3366ff”Chuck Strahl/span/a, who was handling the Indian Affairs portfolio for the past three years, will take Baird’s place at Transport Canada. [...]o:p/o:p/span/ppspan class=”textnorm”span style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 10pt”It remains to be seen how the change affects trucking-related projects currently simmering on Transport Canada’s stove, including plans to build a new bridge between Windsor, Ont. and Detroit./spanspan style=”font-family:Times New Roman;” /span/spanspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 10pt”Read more a href=”http://www.todaystrucking.com/news.cfm?intDocID=24453″span style=”color:#0000ff;”here/span/a.o:p/o:p/span/p

pstrongspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold”(Brent Jang — Globe amp; Mail)?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /o:p/o:p/span/strong/ppstrongspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin”Canadian Border Authority Grants Approval for Facility in Windsor, But Hurdles Remaino:p/o:p/span/strong/ppstrongspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold”The Canada Border Services Agency has approved plans by the Ambassador Bridge for a new customs plaza in Windsor, Ont., even though the move helps a Michigan billionaire who is embroiled in fierce fight against the Canadian government.o:p/o:p/span/strong/ppstrongspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold”Manuel (Matty) Moroun, who wants to build a new crossing next to his 80-year-old Ambassador Bridge over the Detroit River, has satisfied the CBSA that he has the land amassed to allow Canadian customs officers to carry out their duties, according to a 35-page report commissioned by the federal agency.o:p/o:p/span/strong/ppstrongspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold”Mr. Moroun had “submitted an environmental impact statement in December, 2007, proposing a new six-lane replacement bridge immediately adjacent to the west of the Ambassador Bridge,” said the report by consulting firm Arup Canada Inc. But Ottawa required that Mr. Moroun first gain CBSA approval before Transport Canada would review any environmental assessment. Read more a href=”http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ambassador-bridge-cleared-for-new-customs-plaza/article1653566/”span style=”mso-bidi-font-weight: normal”h/spanspan style=”mso-bidi-font-weight: normal”ere/span/a.o:p/o:p/span/strong/ppstrongspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin”Related:/span/strongstrongspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold” a href=”http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Bridge+sues+mayor+councillors/3334857/story.html?cid=megadrop_story”span style=”mso-bidi-font-weight: normal”Windsor council sued by Ambassador Bridge/span/a /span/strongstrongspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold”(Windsor Star)/span/strongstrongspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold”o:p/o:p/span/strong/p

pspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial”(Transport Canada)br /br /Today the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird concluded their tour of port facilities in Kitimat and Prince Rupert, British Columbia.br /br /“These ports are vital to boost trade between Canada and the growing economies of the Asia-Pacific region,” said Minister Day. “They provide Canada with a crucial edge in the competition among North American west coast ports for business with Asia. This is another example of the competitive economic advantage that our government is aggressively promoting.”br /br /“Our visit was a great opportunity to see the investments our government is making to modernize and strengthen the ports in this region,” added Baird. “As demonstrated by today’s tour, our investments have paid off and helped attract more business.”br /br /During their visit, both ministers toured the harbour facilities in Kitimat, where they saw first-hand why the area is increasingly recognized as a strategic hub to support Canada’s energy development in the northwest region. Kitimat industries have produced up to 12 per cent of British Columbia’s manufacturing GDP and currently export over $1 billion a year in manufactured products.br /br /The visit continued at the Port of Prince Rupert, the second-largest deep-sea port on Canada’s West Coast and the deepest natural harbour in North America. With dedicated grain, coal, forest products, specialty grain and container-handling facilities, the port handled 12.2 million tonnes of cargo in 2009, up 15 per cent from the previous year. Shipping through the Port of Prince Rupert reduces steaming time between Asia and North America by two to three days and cuts a further one to two days off the dwell time at the container port, resulting in a three- to five-day time saving (over a normal 17-day trip). From Prince Rupert, rail links can quickly transport goods right into the heart of North America.br /br /Operations at the Port of Prince Rupert and the Port of Kitimat contribute to the economic well-being of these communities. An economic impact study released by the Port Rupert Port Authority demonstrated that, as of October 2009, the port was a significant economic generator, with direct employment related to operations totalling 1,500 jobs.br /br /While in Prince Rupert, the ministers toured the Fairview Container Terminal. They also visited Ridley Terminals, a federal Crown corporation that operates a bulk handling terminal for the efficient and reliable movement of coal and other bulk commodities.br /br /Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway is a system of transportation infrastructure that includes British Columbia Lower Mainland and Prince Rupert ports, road and rail connections that reach across Western Canada and into the economic heartland of North America, as well as major airports and border crossings. Since 2006, the Government of Canada, through its Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, has partnered with B.C. and other western provinces, municipalities and the private sector to undertake strategic infrastructure projects worth more than $2.8 billion, including federal contributions of over $1 billion./spanstrongspan style=”FONT-FAMILY: ‘Verdana’, ‘sans-serif’; COLOR: #ed1c2d; FONT-SIZE: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial”?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /o:p/o:p/span/strong/p

span style=”font-size:85%;”(Journal of Commerce Online)/spanbr /br /strongGovernment expects 100% shipment screening in five years/strongbr /br /Canada will phase in 100% screening of air cargo under a new program that will include some US$90 million of funding to improve security for shipping at the country’s airports.br /br /Canadian Transport Minister John Baird said the program would also include training for companies on how to watch for security lapses in the supply chain, X-ray scanning and the addition of bomb-sniffing dogs. “We must remember that terrorism is not just something that happens somewhere else to someone else,” Baird said in announcing the program at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Read more a href=”http://www.joc.com/air-expedited/canada-launches-air-cargo-security-plan”here/a.