The Conservative Party of Canada is most concerned about economic growth in the country, and the competitive leverage Canada has lost in recent years, MP Raquel Dancho (PC – Kildonan-St Paul) says.
Dancho made the comments in a recent meeting with MHCA Board representatives and President & CEO Chris Lorenc.
Lorenc presented to Dancho, the party’s Public Safety critic, the proposed National Plan for Trade Corridor Infrastructure that the Western Canadian Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association is advancing, along with the Business Council of Canada, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Construction Association and Canada West Foundation.
The CWF in a report called From Shovel Ready to Shovel Worthy (May, 2022) notes Canada’s rank in a World Economic Forum survey of trade transportation reliability fell to 32nd in 2019, from 10th place in 2008. That aligns with diminished investment in a national trade corridor plan over those years.
“We need to diversify our national trade markets, but first we have to repair Canada’s reputation as a mover of imports and exports,” Lorenc stressed. “That can only be done by significant new investment in trade corridors and gateways that have the greatest impact on transporting the goods.”
Dancho said party Leader Pierre Poilievre would be happy to meet with the MHCA and WCR&HCA, and committed to arranging such a meeting in the near future.
MHCA Chair Dennis Cruise and Vice-Chair Kevin Brown attended the meeting, as well.