Premier Christy Clark launched a new transportation strategy that will expand trading opportunities with Asia and help B.C. businesses grow and create jobs.

"We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take advantage of the fastest growing economy in history," said Premier Clark. "Asia is right at our doorstep - our ports are closer than anywhere else in North America. Our government is making sure we can get our goods to market as efficiently and quickly as possible and this strategy is a huge part of that plan."

The new Pacific Gateway Transportation Strategy 2012-2020 will support the key elements of 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan' to expand markets for B.C. products and strengthen infrastructure to get goods to market.

"We are building on our world-class transportation network to support the growth of exports that create new jobs and opportunities in B.C.," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Blair Lekstrom. "Our vision is to make B.C. the preferred choice for Asia-Pacific trade and secure a great economic future for British Columbians."

B.C. has great business opportunities through the expanding Asian demand for coal, forest products, potash, grain, minerals, container traffic and the growth in air travel related to agrifoods, tourism and international education.

"Neptune Terminals' strategic investments have resulted in record terminal exports of potash and steelmaking coal, a 20 per-cent increase in jobs at our terminal, and significant additional growth to come as we complete our expansions," said James Belsheim, president, Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) Ltd. "We are encouraged by the new B.C. transportation plan, which supports our investment strategy and our ability to service our customers."

"Teck has invested over $1 billion and hired an additional 1,000 people in B.C. over the last two years to maintain and expand our steelmaking coal, copper and zinc operations," said Don Lindsay, president and CEO of Teck Resources Ltd. "We're investing to meet growing demand, particularly in Asia, for the products we produce. Working with the B.C. government and the other Pacific Gateway partners, we are creating opportunities for equipment operators, trades people and professionals across the province."

The strategy targets $25 billion in new public and private-sector investment needed to meet this demand - in addition to $22 billion already committed since 2005. This new investment will create at least 17,000 additional jobs by 2020.

The strategy will:

• Increase major road and rail capacity, rural resource transportation capacity, bulk and container terminal capacity at B.C. ports and air passenger and cargo capacity to meet projected growth through 2020.
• Ensure an attractive climate for investment by supporting a reliable labour supply and marketing B.C.'s advantages to the world.
• Enhance collaboration with partners and stakeholders to integrate industrial land-use planning, and engage with communities and First Nations.

Learn More:

http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/ourprogress/building-markets-growing-jobs/

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/PacificGateway/index.htm

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Sara MacIntyre
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
250 580-7701

Jeff Knight
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 356-7707

BACKGROUNDER

Pacific Gateway Transportation Strategy 2012-2020

Since 2005, the Province and its Pacific Gateway Alliance partners have committed $22 billion to upgrade the transportation infrastructure that forms B.C.'s trade corridors with Asia and other regions of the world. This includes roads, rail lines, ports, and airport infrastructure. About $12-billion worth of projects have been completed, including:

• Kicking Horse Canyon Project (Phases 1 and 2)
• Fairview Terminal Prince Rupert (Phase 1)
• Border infrastructure improvements

The remaining $10-billion worth of projects underway include:

• Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project
• South Fraser Perimeter Road
• Highway 1 improvements (from Kamloops to Alberta border and Kicking Horse Pass)

Going forward, $25 billion in additional investment is required by 2020 to meet projected demand in key B.C./Canadian growth sectors. Examples are:

• New provincial investment of $700 million over the next five years to increase capacity on key provincial highways to support trade.
• Investment of $2.8 billion by CN and Canadian Pacific to improve capacity on rail mainlines to meet future growth.
• Investment of $300 million in the Prince Rupert Road Rail Utility Corridor.
• $18 billion in private sector pipeline and plant investment to support the development of the liquefied natural gas sector, consistent with the BC Liquefied Natural Gas Strategy.
• Private-sector investment of between $300 million to $1.1 billion to expand coal terminal capacity in Vancouver and Prince Rupert and up to $60 million to expand metal and mineral terminal capacity in Northwest B.C. and Vancouver.
• Private-sector investment of up to $700 million to develop additional potash terminal capacity.
• Investment of $3.8 billion to increase container terminal capacity at B.C. ports, including the Province's previous $50-million commitment to the Deltaport Terminal, Road and Rail Improvement Project.

Media Contacts:

Sara MacIntyre
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
250 580-7701

Jeff Knight
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 356-7707