Rethinking & Reimagining Canada

Apr 21, 2022 – Apr 22, 2022
Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina

At the 2021 Fall Member Forum, we focused on how today’s decisions dictate our future. We discussed the headwinds facing our economy, infrastructure challenges, and Canada’s slowing economic growth. We also spoke about the need for a bold plan and long-term leadership commitment to build back better from all the challenges the industry has faced in the past few years.

The 2022 Spring Member Forum will focus on envisioning a new economic plan for Canada. One that supports sustainable growth to build a better quality of life for all Canadians and support stronger communities. It is time to rethink and reimagine Canada and our industry. We need to embrace an ambitious and transformative agenda for inclusive, sustainable economic growth and opportunity for all.

The 2022 Spring Member Forum will be an in-person forum in Regina. We’re delighted to confirm that Premier Scott Moe will be a keynote speaker to outline Saskatchewan’s future growth plan.

A Legacy in the Making: The Impact of Critical Decisions on Canadian Prosperity

Dec 8, 2021 – Dec 9, 2021
Westin Bayshore, Vancouver

Decisions of today will dictate our future. They should be guided not only by what we know but shaped by the risks we anticipate and the future we desire. The 2021 Fall Member Forum seeks to bring insights into the economic and tectonic forces shaping our future and encourage dialogue on creating a sustainable transportation trade network.

We know the value of investing in good infrastructure—it creates economic benefits and jobs. But, beyond the numbers, infrastructure is critical to the health and well-being of the country. Canada could not function without the roads, bridges, sewers, and clean water paid for by previous generations.

Over the past decade, weather events have cost the world nearly $2 trillion and impacted almost four billion people. The frequency and severity of these events will only continue to increase due to climate change. Therefore, the need to build climate-resilient infrastructure through risk-informed decision-making has never been more acute.

Our future resilience will depend on our innovative investments, risk-reduction planning, mitigation strategies, the strength of our cybersecurity, and how we manage resource scarcity, inequity, and extreme weather events.

The 2021 Fall Member Forum is planned to be the first in-person Forum in two years. It builds upon the 2021 Spring Member Forum and will delve more deeply into resiliency from two aspects: ensuring infrastructure is resilient from climate change and cyber risks.

The Forum will also provide the opportunity to hear from members on developments affecting the transport of Canada’s exports and imports. What are the headwinds now facing the industry? How can we improve our competitiveness?

Dec 7, 2021
Vancouver

A roundtable was held with Transport Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Serge Bijimine. The objective of this roundtable was to have a frank discussion about freight transportation in Canada, including current supply chain challenges, drivers of growth and potential solutions.

Nov 29, 2021
Edmonton

A roundtable dinner was held for the Hon. Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Transportation for the Government of Alberta. National members joined via Zoom to discuss the need for a concerted focus on resiliency, redundancy and recovery.

Participants discussed specific areas of interest and pressing issues in their respective provinces and Western Canada.

Jul 16, 2021
Vancouver

This roundtable was an opportunity for Minister Alghabra to hear from a small group of freight transportation executives across the Western Canadian transportation industry. WESTAC members represent business, labour and government interests in shipping, port, terminal, carrier and logistics activities.

The discussion focused on strategic issues facing the sector and opportunities for improvement across the system.

Future in Focus: Understanding New Imperatives

Apr 30, 2021 – May 14, 2021
Online Event

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that no institution or individual alone can address the economic, environmental, social and technological challenges facing our complex world. The pandemic accelerated many of the systemic changes that were underway. As we move into recovery, it’s essential to understand the lasting market impacts, learn from those organizations that thrived during the pandemic and most importantly, reset priorities and reform systems to address the even larger global challenges that are on the horizon.

The 2021 Spring Member Forum will focus on the economic and market changes that were underway or that have emerged as a result of the pandemic and their impact on the western transportation network. Speakers will examine the complexities of the three key imperatives—environmental responsibility, a new U.S. administration and export markets—that will influence and shape the future of Canadian prosperity. An emphasis will be given to Canadian transportation trade networks, the significance of resiliency and why the climate crisis is more critical for transportation than ever before.

Apr 7, 2021
Online

The roundtable provided an opportunity for business representatives to have a discussion with BC’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Hon. Rob Fleming and the Hon. Bowinn Ma, Minister of State for Infrastructure, on the most pressing matters facing the industry with a focus in British Columbia.

Mar 31, 2021
Online

Welcome roundtable for new Saskatchewan Minister of Highways, Hon. Fred Bradshaw.

Transportation stakeholders and business executives briefed Minister Bradshaw on the most pressing issues facing the industry. The Hon. David Marit, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Saskatchewan, was also in attendance.

WHAT’S NEXT? The Aftermath of the COVID-19 Crisis

Oct 14, 2020 – Oct 23, 2020
October 14, 16, 21 & 23 - Online Event

The COVID-19 pandemic is, first and foremost, a global health crisis that triggered enormous economic consequences. The World Trade Organization estimates that global merchandise trade plunged 18.5% in the second quarter of 2020 and forecasts an overall contraction of 13% for the year. In Canada, unemployment reached 13.7% in May, and GDP is likely to have plunged by a record of 12% in the second quarter. These indicators will improve as the economy recovers from earlier lockdown measures.

The 2020 Fall Member Forum will address the pressing concerns that Canadian transportation leaders have as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts will provide their insights on the scale and permanency of damage caused by the pandemic, and outline responses for businesses and governments to thrive in the coming years.

Apr 29, 2020 – Apr 30, 2020

In light of ongoing developments regarding COVID-19 and consistent with precautions taken by Health Canada and other provincial and international health agencies, we have made the decision to cancel this year's Spring Member Forum.

For our Fall Forum, we will be developing an agenda that hopefully will reflect much of that which was missed in the spring. In the interim, I’ll look forward to any suggestions you may have for additional agenda items as issues arise. Details for the Fall Member Forum can be found on our Events page.