Gateway Forum: Innovating for future success
The Gateway is an integrated, seamless supply chain connecting Canadian and North American markets to the world.
As Canada's Pacific Gateway, the Greater Vancouver region has been the beneficiary of growth in Asia-Pacific trade, taking advantage of the comprehensive free trade agreements in both new and traditional trade blocs.
Today, Canada finds itself as the only country within the G7 to have a trading agreement with all other partners. However, infrastructure deterioration, project delays, and a decline in availability of industrial land all threaten the longevity and performance of the Gateway.
This forum will bring together policy makers, industry and employers to discuss best practices and roadblocks in sustaining and strengthening Canada's Pacific Gateway.
Keynote
The Honourable Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Province of British Columbia
Moderator: Natalie Obiko Pearson, Vancouver Bureau Chief, Bloomberg News
Session 1
Municipal Goods Movement
This panel will discuss the importance of coordinating efforts and working together as one cohesive voice in the region to sustain and advance the Gateway. Industry leaders and policy-makers will discuss the importance of the Gateway to our regional, provincial, and national economies. Investing in the Gateway, removing regulatory roadblocks, and physical bottlenecks will be essential in creating critical Canadian access to global emerging markets.
Linda Buchanan, Mayor, City of North Vancouver
Kevin Desmond, Chief Executive Officer, TransLink
Dave Earle, President & CEO, BC Trucking Association
Duncan Wilson, Vice President, Environment, Community and Government Affairs, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Moderator: Jan Pezarro BSc, CMC, President, Q4 Consults Inc.
Session 2
Building the Gateway of Tomorrow
This panel will discuss the major public-private investments, trends and technological innovations that will maintain Canada's world-class Gateway. Proponents, investors and industry leaders will discuss the necessary projects and investments required to increase capacity, eliminate congestion, and streamline operations, in order to optimize efficiency in our Gateway and get goods and people to market.
Dan Bresolin, Assistant Vice President, CN Intermodal International
Doron Grosman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Global Container Terminals
Robert Lewis-Manning, President, Chamber of Shipping
Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Moderator: Pam Ryan, President, Lucent Quay Consulting Inc.
Session 3
Smart Infrastructure and Construction
This panel will discuss the major technological advancements in infrastructure and how practitioners are building safer and smarter supply chains in the Gateway. They will also consider current trends in ensuring resiliency and how we can future proof the Gateway using technology and data.
Kip Skabar, Senior Associate of Transportation, Stantec
Chris Wiesinger, CEO, GeoSim Cities, Inc.
Moderator: Sarah Clark, President and CEO, Fraser River Pile and Dredge