August 23, 2005
For Immediate Release

Canada Ports Group focuses on advancing key port issues

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 it represents the interests of the entire port community in Canada.

"The ACPA has been representing the port community in Canada since 1958 and its members have stood by the Association all that time to ensure that Canada’s port operators were on the cutting edge of issues that impact all ports," said Donna Taylor, President and CEO of the Oshawa Harbour Commission, who was elected Chair of the Association at its 47th Annual Meeting held recently in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Ms. Taylor said the ACPA is moving ahead to broaden its membership base and implement a comprehensive five-year strategic plan approved by the membership at last year’s AGM.

"While bringing more heft to the Association to advance our key issues, we must not lose sight of the fact that there are many issues on which we must move forward including policies and regulations impacting the port community; new marine security initiatives; ongoing environmental stewardship responsibilities; the requirement for a renewed focus on infrastructure; and more,” said Ms. Taylor. She further noted that, “We have a number of policy and technical committees working hard on the key issues to the benefit of the entire port community in Canada.”

She went on to say that we must do everything we can to remain competitive in the changing world of ports. Ms. Taylor commented that, "Ports are now constantly in our newspapers and on our nightly newscasts as important players in international and domestic transportation and the Association will continue to take a leadership role in advancing the interests of the port community in Canada."

Donna Taylor took over as Chair from Captain Gordon Houston, President and CEO, Vancouver Port Authority. Other members of the Executive Committee of the Board are Dominic Taddeo, First Vice-Chair, President and CEO, Montreal Port Authority; Sean Hanrahan, Second Vice-Chair, St. John’s Port Authority; and Past Chair, Captain Gordon Houston, President and CEO, Vancouver Port Authority. Elected Directors were: Karen Oldfield, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority; Daryl Anderson, President and CEO, Port Alberni Port Authority; Bob Hart, Vice-President, Hamilton Port Authority; Robert Masson, President and CEO, Trois-Rivieres Port Authority; Gary Brush, Vice-President, Fraser River Port Authority; Michael Cormier, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, representing the Associate Members; and Robert Lemire, President and CEO, Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, representing the Affiliate Members.

Next year, the Association's 48th Annual Meeting and Conference will be hosted by the Oshawa Harbour Commission, Oshawa, Ontario.

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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