August 22, 2004
For Immediate Release

Canada Ports Group Focuses on Renewing Canadian Port Infrastructure

The newly elected head of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA) says the Association will work hard in the coming months to ensure that Canada’s major ports have the necessary infrastructure in place to enhance the overall competitiveness of the National Ports System.

"Ports and the marine sector in general must work in partnership with governmental authorities, at all levels, to ensure that we have the necessary infrastructure in place to handle the expected huge growth in trade over the next 10 years," said Captain Gordon Houston, President and CEO of the Vancouver Port Authority, who was elected Chair of the Association at its 46th Annual Meeting held recently in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Captain Houston said the ACPA is moving ahead to impress upon the need for governments to take a leadership role in renewing transportation infrastructure in general, and marine infrastructure in particular.

"The recommendations following the Canada Transportation Act Review, the Canada Marine Act Review and the federal government’s own transportation policy document
‘Straight Ahead’ acknowledge the importance of renewing transportation infrastructure,” said Captain Houston. “In recent months a number of leaders in the transportation sector have identified infrastructure renewal as the number one priority and have argued that – as a country - we have neglected our transportation infrastructure for far too long. Canada’s seaports are now widely recognized as strong economic engines with over $100 billion in trade shipped via the 19 Canadian Port Authorities from coast to coast and if we want to sustain and grow this sector we have to pay attention to infrastructure needs," said Captain Houston.

He went on to say that we must do everything we can to remain competitive with our counterparts in the United States. Captain Houston noted that, "We must ensure that our ports work in partnership with all levels of government, other marine stakeholders and those in other modes to meet the challenge of providing the best transportation system for our customers."

Captain Houston took over as Chair from Captain Al Soppitt, President and CEO, Saint John Port Authority. Other members of the Executive Committee of the Board are Donna Taylor, First Vice-Chair, President and CEO, Oshawa Harbour Commission, Patrick Robitaille, Second Vice-Chair, Director, Marketing and Strategic Planning, Quebec Port Authority; and Immediate Past Chair, Captain Al Soppitt, President and CEO, Saint John Port Authority.

Elected Directors were: Sean Hanrahan, President and CEO, St. John's Port Authority; Captain Allen Domaas, President and CEO, Fraser River Port Authority; George Marcoux, President and CEO, Belledune Port Authority; Alan Paul, Vice-President, Toronto Port Authority; Pierre Gagnon, CEO, Sept-Iles Port Authority, and Captain Tony McGuinness, President and CEO, Atlantic Pilotage Authority, Associate Member.

Next year, the Association's 47th Annual Meeting and Conference will be hosted by the Vancouver Port Authority in Vancouver, British Columbia.

For more information please contact:
Gary LeRoux
Executive Director
Association of Canadian Port Authorities

Phone: (613) 232-2036

The Association of Canadian Port Authorities was founded in 1958 and groups together ports and harbours and related marine interests into one, national association. The ACPA is the pre-eminent Association for the advocacy and advancement of the Canadian Port Industry. ACPA members contribute greatly to the local, regional and national economy of Canada with over $100 billion worth of goods handled annually.

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