Increased Canada/U.S. Infrastructure Investment would boost growth opportunity
NEWS RELEASE – In a speech today in Toronto, new Chamber of Marine Commerce President Bruce Burrows called the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway a vital engine of sustainable growth that would benefit from increased infrastructure spending in Canada and the U.S.
“I believe this sector has enormous untapped potential that can be unleashed to create more marine traffic at lower cost. I’m convinced that inland and coastal shipping in Canada and the U.S. has tremendous capacity to grow. And current economic and political conditions are conducive to seeing this goal realized,” said Burrows at the Chamber’s annual luncheon. “Shipping is efficient, safe and sustainable. Shipping is vital to growth, trade and new jobs.”
Burrows, who took up his new post in December, pointed to promises from incoming President Donald Trump, and the plans by the government of Prime Minister Trudeau, to invest heavily in infrastructure spending.
“New infrastructure investment will generate increased volumes of materials being shipped on the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence and our coasts. Investments in icebreaking resources, waterways, locks and portside infrastructure, and more efficient delivery of marine navigational services would unleash the full sustainable potential of shipping.”
Burrows noted that all signs indicate reduced red tape and business fees under President Trump and that he hoped the U.S. administration would work closely with the Canadian government to address the “hodgepodge of regulations that currently govern the bi-national waters that we work within.”
He also emphasized that marine shipping’s green advantage bodes well in today’s environmentally- and climate-conscious world. “With our fuel-efficient ships, we have a lower carbon footprint than road or rail. And we enjoy low congestion relative to other major trade corridors. Marine shipping is an attractive alternative for governments committed to a sustainable transportation future, with the capacity to do even more to accelerate both economic and environmental progress.”
CMC Chair Wayne Smith also addressed the audience, noting that the Chamber’s recently completed merger with the Canadian Shipowners Association was perfectly timed.
Smith explained: “In the current climate of increasing transportation regulation and cost, it is clear that we need to better coordinate and strengthen our industry advocacy efforts and to build new partnerships while strengthening existing relationships among North American business, government and marine industry stakeholders.”
The luncheon, a signature event during a week of industry meetings, attracted a crowd of more than 200 Canadian and U.S. shipping, industrial and agricultural executives along with federal, provincial and local government representatives. Stuart Rothenberg, one of Washington’s most highly-respected political analysts and commentators, was the keynote speaker. Rothenberg is the founding editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, a weekly columnist with the Washington Post and a regular guest on national network television.
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Flickr
Download photos from the EVENT: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marinecommerce/albums/72157675705514703
Full Speech of President Bruce R. Burrows.
About the Chamber of Marine Commerce
The Chamber of Marine Commerce is a bi-national association that represents more than 150 marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as domestic and international ship owners. The Chamber has merged with the Canadian Shipowners Association, combining resources to advocate for an efficient regulatory climate that promotes a strong and competitive marine industry for the benefit of all industry stakeholders throughout the bi-national Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region and along the eastern seaboard and northern coasts. Based in Ottawa, Canada, the merged entity will continue to be called the Chamber of Marine Commerce.
Media Contact
Julia Fields
Chamber of Marine Commerce
613-294-8515
The Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) is a bi-national association that represents diverse marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as Canadian domestic and international ship owners. The Chamber advocates for safe, sustainable, harmonized and competitive policy and regulation that recognizes the marine transportation system's significant advantages in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, Coastal and Arctic regions.
Media Contact:
Jason Card
Chamber of Marine Commerce
jcard@cmc-ccm.com
(613) 447 5401