By CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS
September 28, 2009
Peter MacKay was in Saint John recently to discuss energy and transportation projects in New Brunswick. He met with Stephen Campbell, chair of the Saint John Port Authority, and Paul Doiron, the newly appointed executive director of the New Brunswick Gateway Council, as well as members of the Saint John Board of Trade.
As minister for the Atlantic Gateway, Mr. MacKay has the tricky task of reviewing regional priorities over the coming months. He is now getting ready to peruse a list of recommendations from the provincial gateway councils and a private sector advisory council to allocate money from the $2.1-billion national Gateways and Border Crossings Fund.
Mr. MacKay said the private sector advisory group is made up of “some of the leading businessmen in Atlantic Canada.” He said he recognizes the growth of New Brunswick’s energy hub and hopes Atlantic governments can work together to create a regional industry.
The New Brunswick Gateway Council, formerly the Southern New Brunswick Gateway Council, has broadened its geographic scope to include other stakeholders. Rayburn Doucett, president and CEO of northern New Brunswick’s Port of Belledune, is now an executive member of the council.
“The council has done a lot of work,” said Mr. Campbell, who is also an executive member of the group. “From a private sector point of view, they’ve gone through an extensive process to assign priorities. What we’re doing is keeping it out of the political realm. We’re asking what the biggest bang is for the buck, what is the most important project that needs to be done now, and where funding can really help in terms of logistics.”
Doiron appointed executive director
Mr. Campbell and other members of the New Brunswick Gateway Council recently recruited Mr. Doiron, a transportation expert, as the group’s executive director to make its funding pitch to Mr. MacKay. Formerly senior vice-president with Logistec Stevedoring Inc., Mr. Doiron retired at the end of last year and started his own transportation firm, Leedo Transportation Consultants Inc.
Mr. Doiron has been involved with the gateway council since the beginning and was optimistic following his meeting with Mr. MacKay. “Minister MacKay is a very upfront, forthright individual and we had a very frank discussion,” Mr. Doiron said. “He has a very good handle on the transportation issues and deficiencies in the Atlantic region and we’re looking forward to working with him as the process moves forward.”
Mr. Doiron, who is also chairman of the Saint John Airport board of directors, said his council’s current priority list includes centre line lighting for that airport as well as a runway extension for the Greater Moncton International Airport, a cruise ship berth extension and lower west side pier reconstruction for the Port of Saint John, a highway overpass near the Moncton airport, and several other projects related to roadways and rail transportation.
Indian delegation impressed with port
As a followup to a Canadian delegation led by Mr. MacKay that took place last February, an investment trade mission connecting Indian firms to local businesses was welcomed to Saint John in early September.
“There are opportunities here, and companies in both countries are excited about creating partnerships,” said Shashank Kulkarni, secretary general of the Indian National Shipowners’ Association and spokesman for the Indian delegation.
The delegates toured Saint John harbour, and Betty MacMillan, manager of business development for the Saint John Port Authority, spoke of the region’s importance to the Atlantic Gateway. She highlighted loading facilities at the port as well as its road and rail connections. She said a major advantage of the Port of Saint John is that it is not congested and ships do not have to wait for a berth.
The Indian delegation continued a five-day tour of Atlantic Canada in Halifax, St. John’s, Moncton and Charlottetown.