By Tyler OlsenMorning Star Staff May 27 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
The B.C. lumber industry may be slumping but it’s not because of the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber agreement, according to International Trade Minister David Emerson. Emerson, who is also Minister for the Pacific Gateway, was in Vernon Thursday to speak with local politicians and businesspeople at Predator Ridge. Taking a break from discussions, Emerson spoke to media about passports and lumber issues. On lumber, Emerson noted, “I think what we’re dealing with in the lumber industry may be a virtually unprecedented downturn...but I can assure you it is not caused by the lumber agreement.” Emerson pointed to a slowing U.S. housing market as one of the culprits for the troubles, which have caused several lumber companies to close mills and lay off workers in recent months. “The softwood lumber agreement gives us a framework with which we can deal with the U.S. government,” said Emerson. “I thank my lucky stars we have this lumber agreement,” he said, adding that without the agreement, tariffs could be as high as 40 per cent.
Flanked by Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes on his right, Emerson said he had been warmly embraced by the Conservative caucus since he left the Liberals following the 2006 federal election. Emerson was also asked about plans to establish passport application offices in the Okanagan. “I can tell you that is one of the fundamental directions we’re moving in.” On Wednesday three Service Canada Centres – in Burnaby, North Vancouver and Coquitlam – were given the power to process passport applications.
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By Tyler OlsenMorning Star Staff
May 27 2007Gateway opens door to opportunity
The B.C. Interior must find a way to connect to a rapidly evolving Pacific commercial transportation plan, Pacific Gateway Minister David Emerson told local politicians and businesspeople Thursday at Predator Ridge. Speaking to media during a break in discussions, Emerson, who is also the international trade minister, spoke at length about the proposed Pacific Gateway plan. “The gateways and corridor initiative is fundamentally about creating an efficient transportation and logistical system connecting the core markets of Asia with the core markets of Canada,” said Emerson. “What we’ll be talking about next is the plan that needs to be put in place so this region can connect in to what will be a global transportation initiative.” Emerson raised the possibility of an inland port that would serve as a hub for commercial transport, including containers. “One of the things we hear over and over again is we need to ensure container traffic gets efficiently through ports and into the Interior.” And with an ever-evolving globalized world, he said Canadians can’t let new opportunities pass them by.
“Canada has always been a trading nation. We’ve depended on it for our jobs and our wealth creation.” He noted that with its natural beauty, the Okanagan was uniquely positioned to become a high-tech hub. “You can compete almost anywhere in the world from anywhere in the world.” Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert, who was joined by counterparts from Coldstream, Armstrong and Spallumcheen, was pleased with the discussions. “I’m very happy with the way the talks went. It gives us some insight into what the Pacific Gateway initiative is all about. We all had our ideas on it but he helped clarify it.” Lippert said that while the meeting was fairly general, “it gives us some direction, a chance to realize where the federal government is going with the Pacific Gateway and to generally identify areas to take advantage of.” Emerson also made an impression on Spallumcheen Mayor Will Hansma: “We have to make sure when that flow-through traffic starts to happen we aren’t passed by, that there’s somewhere the trains can stop.” Hansma said that failing to take advantage of the initiative could have a very negative effect on local businesses.
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