Trade corridor agreement signed by Ontario, Quebec, Feds
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Trade corridor agreement signed between Ontario, Quebec, feds By Ottawa Business Journal Staff Mon, Jul 30, 2007 5:00 PM EST
There will soon be freer trade between Ontario and Quebec, provincial and federal politicians pledged Monday.
Federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Lawrence Cannon and his Ontario and Quebec provincial counterparts Donna Cansfield and Julie Boulet, signed a memorandum of understanding today to develop the Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway and Trade Corridor.
"Canada's prosperity and quality of life depends on our success as a trading nation," said Mr. Cannon. He said his government is "taking action" to develop a modern and efficient transportation system to take more advantage of international trading opportunities.
"Efficient gateways and corridors will fuel economic growth and boost Canada's competitiveness in global markets," he said.
The corridor will take shape over the next two years, the governments pledged in a release.
It promises to address issues linked to transportation, protection of the environment and security and to respond to new, international and domestic trading patterns.
Ms. Cansfield noted that Ontario and Quebec combined make up nearly 60 per cent of Canada's GDP.
"Developing a sustainable transportation system that focuses on all transport options will keep our provinces globally competitive as a prime location for investment," the Ontario minister said. "Our partnership is good news for residents of Ontario, Quebec and all of Canada."
"I am convinced that this initiative will improve the efficiency of the transport systems of both Ontario and Quebec, and that the partnership of our three governments will maintain and enhance the economic contribution this trade corridor has made throughout Canada's history," said Quebec's Ms. Boulet. This unique planning approach, in partnership with the private sector, is a model of collaboration that will allow us to ensure its success."
In the short term, a private sector advisory committee will gather data to better understand international trade and transportation patterns, the newsrelease noted. It will also explore ways "to optimize the connections between air, marine, road and rail transportation to better meet current and future demands in transportation."
In June last year, the governments of Ontario and Quebec signed a different agreement on the transportation sector. Among other objectives, it sought to promote the development of an efficient trade corridor for goods and people.
