June 1, 2009
Promoting CentrePort Canada a Top Priority for Meeting on North American Relations: Doer
Premier Gary Doer is joining a group of Canadian premiers and Mexican and American governors in Quebec City for the 2009 Leaders’ Summit on North American relations, where he will continue to promote CentrePort Canada, Manitoba’s new inland port.
Manitoba’s delegation includes Don Streuber, chair of the Business Council of Manitoba and president and CEO of Bison Transport, Charles Loewen, president and CEO of Loewen Windows, and Jim Carr, president and CEO of the Business Council of Manitoba. Chris Lorenc, president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and board member of CentrePort Canada, and Dave Angus, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, will also be in Quebec for the annual meeting of North America’s SuperCorridor Coalition (NASCO).
“We have enjoyed tremendous success under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),” Doer said. “But the recent global economic slowdown has brought new pressures to bear on trading economies and we cannot be complacent. We must continue to grow our position as a trade and transportation hub. CentrePort Canada is about building Manitoba for the future.”
The leaders’ summit, which runs June 2 and 3, is held annually in conjunction with NASCO’s meeting. NASCO promotes trade and transportation along the mid-continent corridor that stretches from Manitoba in the north to Mexico in the south.
Doer will participate in both forums to raise awareness of cross-border issues affecting Manitoba and Canada including promoting free trade, increasing co-operation on climate change and renewable energy, and enhancing mid-continent trade and transportation with emphasis on CentrePort Canada.
Manitoba’s trade with its NAFTA partners continued to grow in 2008. Trade with Mexico grew to $676 million, up from $436 million in 2004, while trade with the U.S. increased to $21.33 billion, up from $15.38 billion in 2004. Canada’s trilateral trade also continues to increase. Trade with the U.S. grew to $580 billion in 2008, up from $535 billion in 2004, while trade with Mexico rose to $23 billion in 2008, up from $16.4 billion in 2004.
The 2009 leaders’ summit is the fifth annual meeting and will focus on issues important to strengthening North America. This year’s agenda will include discussions on the current economic situation, transportation and infrastructure, and climate change and energy. Manitoba hosted the 2006 summit in Gimli.
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