Annex 2 : Action Plan - Immediate Measures and Future Directions

Burnside Connector Phase 1 (NS) - to connect Highway 102 and Highway 107 and a major industrial park and transshipment facility.

Port of Halifax, South Terminal Expansion (NS) - to accommodate the next generation of container ships.

Port of Halifax, Richmond Terminals Multipurpose Gateway Extension (NS) - to upgrade and expand value-added cargo handling services.

Truro High Speed Interchange (NS) - to upgrade the interchange ramps at a vital highway junction through which high volumes of Nova Scotian trade moves.

Route 344 Highway Upgrades (NS) - to support development and operation of the proposed Melford Container Terminal.

Completion of Route 1 Twinning and Rehabilitation (NB) - to ensure more efficient movement of people and goods along this important trade corridor that connects Atlantic Canada with the U.S. New England region.

Port of Belledune Modular Fabrication and Multimodal Transshipment Facility (NB) - to support shortsea shipping operations on the eastern seaboard in Canada and the United States.

Fredericton International Airport Runway and Lighting Upgrades (NB) - to maintain safe and efficient airport operations.

Improvements to Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) (PEI) - to realign traffic flow and improve safety and efficiency along the main trade route for PEI.

Port of Argentia New Roll-On Roll-Off Ramp (NL) - to complement shortsea shipping capabilities.

Gander International Airport Runway Upgrade (NL) - to support increased trade and traffic.

Fluidity and Reliability Study - to measure system fluidity and reliability along the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor with the objective of improving supply chain logistics.

Market Research Activities - Public and private sector partners will support the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor through market research and analysis. Research activity may include:

• Assessing existing trade activities and trade potential in key geographic areas;
• Analyzing sector-specific trade and investments; and
• Developing specific marketing strategies.

Trade Missions and Promotion Activities - Canada's Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor's public and private sector partners have already begun collaborative marketing activities targeting travellers, containers, bulk and air freight companies in the United States, Europe and Asia. Promotional communications products in support of these activities are being developed.

Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor International Marketing Program - Recognizing targeted marketing as a valuable way to attract new international commerce opportunities, the Government of Canada is committing up to $5 million to support strategic, pan-Atlantic Canada marketing projects and activities that promote competitive advantages and niche market strengths of Canada's Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor.

Halifax Stanfield International Airport Runway Extension (NS) – to extend runway to accommodate larger cargo planes and enhance safe operations.

Greater Moncton International Airport Runway Extension (NB) – to extend runway to accommodate larger cargo planes and enhance safe operations.

Port of Saint John Cruise Expansion (NB) – to expand cruise berth and passenger handling capacity.

Charlottetown Airport Terminal Expansion (PEI) – to capitalize on economic growth and facilitate increased traffic.

New International Bridge: St. Stephen, New Brunswick / Calais, Maine - The first international bridge to be built between Canada and the United States in over thirty years opened to cross-border traffic on November 16, 2009.

Assessing Gateway and Trade Corridor Security - The Government of Canada will assess the security of key elements of the supply chain within the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor to identify strengths and opportunities for improvements. Key stakeholders will be engaged to identify priorities and participate in the security assessment process.

Engage U.S. Partners - Advance discussions aimed at achieving a secure but 'thin' border.

Air Cargo: Policy, Logistics and Competitiveness Initiative - Transport Canada is working with airlines, freight forwarders, shippers and other interested parties on an air cargo mapping initiative to address significant knowledge gaps related to air cargo flows to and from Canada. This initiative will increase understanding of the air cargo industry and guide policy efforts to remove obstacles to air cargo development.

Customs Tariffs on Marine Containers - The Government of Canada amended the Customs Tariff regulations to facilitate container movements within Canada and to harmonize the treatment of imported containers with that of the United States. The changes, which took effect on December 15, 2009, increase the period of time a temporarily imported container can stay in Canada duty-free from 30 to 365 days and remove the restriction that such containers may only be used for one point-to-point transport of goods within Canada.

Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Strategy - The ITS Strategy will set out technology priorities and deployment strategies throughout the four Atlantic provinces. It will reflect the present context and help foster synergies for integrative ITS projects involving Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor stakeholders. The ITS Strategy will include a technology framework to help guide long-term investments in technology and support other Gateway objectives. This will ensure that technologies deployed by all stakeholders will be fully integrated and interoperable across transport modes and among jurisdictions.

ITS Projects - In recognition of the fundamental role that ITS plays in a safe, secure, and efficient transportation system, support will be provided for ITS Projects:

• Confederation Bridge (linking PEI and NB) – to install technologies to enhance monitoring of hazardous conditions and improve traffic management.
• St. John’s International Airport Category III Instrument Landing System (NL) – to enhance the safety and efficiency of operations in poor weather conditions.
• Smart Bay Project Expansion (NL) – to provide additional buoys and sensors to enhance traffic management and maintain safe operations in this high traffic area.

511 Traveller Information Service Launched in New Brunswick - The Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick have together invested approximately $83,500 to implement the 511 system, joining Nova Scotia, which was the first Canadian province to implement the 511 Traveller Information Service in January 2008. 511 is a designated number to help travellers get information on road and weather conditions, as well as road construction reports, by telephone and through its online services. Operational as of December 11, 2009, the new system will also allow district staff to report more quickly about changes in road openings and closures, along with ferry operations.

Provide a coordinated approach among management, labour organizations and higher educational institutions to make transportation skills, logistics training and supply chain management a priority.

"Evaluation of Environmental and Social Impacts and Benefits of Shortsea Shipping in Canada" Study (Genivar Limited, 2008) - Transport Canada commissioned a study to evaluate the environmental and social effects of shortsea shipping in Canada and develop a model capable of quantifying and comparing these effects with other transportation modes. Early model outputs point to potential social and environmental benefits from the better integration of the marine mode into Canada's transportation system.

Gateway approach offers inherent benefits for environmental sustainability.

Will be a strategic consideration going forward.

Implementation - The Atlantic Gateway Federal-Provincial Officials Committee will be established as the ongoing forum for implementation of the Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor Strategy.

Partnership with the Private Sector - The Atlantic Advisory Council will provide a leadership role in advising governments on the implementation of this Atlantic Gateway and Trade Corridor Strategy going forward.

Annual Progress Report - A progress report will be issued on an annual basis highlighting measures and progress in implementation of the Strategy.

Other forums for collaboration - Other forums will be established under the leadership of the Atlantic Gateway Federal-Provincial Officials Committee as needed.

The success of the Atlantic Gateway over the longer term will require enhanced commitments to ongoing policy coordination and integration within and among the federal and provincial governments, public and private sectors.