News Releases
Business Leaders Urge Federal Government to Facilitate Cross Border Access
Prince Rupert, May 25, 2009 – Chambers of Commerce from across the province are calling for the federal government to take immediate action to balance the need for border security with the need to facilitate trade, commerce, and tourism opportunities in British Columbia.
Delegates from BC’s business community, gathered at the BC Chamber of Commerce 57th Annual General Meeting and Conference in Prince Rupert, raised concerns that in several instances, the movement of goods and visitors between the US and Canada are being hampered by issues of capacity and cost recovery.
“We have see a gradual thickening of the border from the US side since 9/11 with the US placing increased focus on perceived security issues to the detriment of trade,” stated John Winter, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “Our members have sent a clear message to the federal government. The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) cannot become an additional impediment to trade and the movement of goods and people over the border.”
Two specific items were identified as creating a significant limitation to trade and commerce in B.C. These were the second passenger train service between Seattle and Vancouver, and the need for expanded commercial service at the Aldergrove border crossing. Expansion of the former has been stalled over CBSA cost recovery issues. The latter has seen CBSA reluctant to expand the movement of goods through this crossing (while all other crossings are operated around the clock).
“In both these instances we see the US taking action to improve these corridors with upgrades to the road infrastructure leading up to the border at Aldergrove and an indication that the Seattle/Vancouver train service could receive federal money to be upgraded to a high speed train service as part of President Obama’s stimulus spending,” continued Winter. “It is absolutely critical that the Canadian government ensures that CBSA are in a position to expand their service to ensure that they are a part of our economic recovery, not an impediment to it.”
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For more information on this issue please contact;
John Winter
President & CEO
BC Chamber of Commerce
D 604 638 8110
C 604.376.3577
E jwinter@bcchamber.org
