Gondek urges federal government to consider Prairie Economic Gateway for national interest projects list
Article content
Prairie Economic Gateway is a partnership between Calgary and Rocky View County that aims to develop Alberta's first rail-served inland port. According to Gondek, the interprovincial trade and manufacturing hub, which would be on the border of southeast Calgary and Rocky View County, will enable more industrial development and bolster Canada's manufacturing sector.
Article content
Article content
Article content
'This nation-building project is ready to proceed as a public-private partnership, offering immediate and long-term benefits for Alberta and for Canada,' Gondek wrote in an Aug. 1 letter to federal energy minister Tim Hodgson and intergovernmental affairs minister Dominic LeBlanc.
Article content
Article content
City council approved early plans for the Prairie Economic Gateway concept in February. The rail-served port, which Gondek said will also include manufacturing and logistics facilities, is estimated to take 10 to 12 years to come to fruition.
Article content
'Prairie Economic Gateway has the ability to become the strongest inland port in North America,' Gondek said. 'And this isn't just a someday idea. The planning is done, the approvals are in place and the partners are ready.'
Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy and Building Canada Act, intends to accelerate the approval and development of infrastructure projects deemed to be in the national interest. The legislation received parliamentary approval in June, and Carney has asked each province to compile a list of potential projects for consideration.
Article content
Article content
The projects should fulfill a number of criteria, such as strengthening Canada's autonomy and resiliency, providing economic benefit, advancing the interests of Indigenous Peoples and aligning with federal climate objectives.
Article content
The city claims Prairie Economic Gateway will generate $7 billion in economic activity and create more than 30,000 jobs by leveraging the inland port's location near the existing CPKC rail network, allowing for greater interprovincial trade and improved access to global distribution markets.
Article content
'Minister Hodgson has been clear that ports and trade infrastructure will be the backbone of Canada's next wave of nation-building investments,' Gondek said at a news conference on Monday. 'Prairie Economic Gateway complements and in most cases, out competes what other regions are putting forward, while others are focused on single season ports or limited routes.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Calgary advocates for mega rail projects to make Ottawa's shortlist for major builds
Calgary has a wish list for major infrastructure projects needing support from Ottawa, and Alberta is also pushing for pipelines to make the cut. As the prime minister considers nation-building projects to fast-track, Calgary is hoping a pair of regional proposals make the list. In a number of letters to Mark Carney and his government, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says two projects should be streamlined through the Building Canada Act: Prairie Economic Gateway and a passenger rail link between Calgary and Banff. 'The West has been forgotten and ignored for far too long, and it is critical that we demonstrate what kind of projects we are ready to move on,' Gondek said Monday. 'We are able to move people if we get the passenger rail, we are able to move goods with Prairie Economic Gateway and a pipeline is something that we have long been advocating for.' In a letter to the federal energy and intergovernmental affairs minister, Gondek called for a meeting in order to advocate for Prairie Economic Gateway, a massive proposal to build an inland port along a rail line southeast of the city. The plan, which is part of an agreement with Rocky View County, would see industrial and manufacturing hubs developed along the rail corridors in order to ship goods across North America. Last month, Gondek also signed a letter with the mayors of Banff, Cochrane and Canmore to urge Ottawa to consider a passenger rail link between the Calgary airport and Banff as a project to streamline. 'To get four mayors to look regionally, beyond their municipal boundaries, is a big achievement, and it's an important message that's being sent both to the province and to the federal government,' said Bruce Graham, the executive director of the Calgary Airport-Banff Rail group. As the prime minister considers nation-building projects to fast-track, Calgary is hoping a pair of regional proposals make the list. As the prime minister considers nation-building projects to fast-track, Calgary is hoping a pair of regional proposals make the list. The Carney government recently passed Bill C-5, which gives Ottawa the power to fast-track projects meant to boost the national economy. The prime minister has asked premiers to indicate projects they'd like to see considered under the new legislation. While mayors in the region push for rail, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has repeatedly pushed for pipelines to be considered. Gondek says it should not be one or the other. 'A pipeline is something that we have long been advocating for, so it can't just be one thing. We need to talk about everything that the West can deliver,' she said. In a statement, Alberta's transportation minister says the province's Master Rail Plan is expected to be made public by the end of the summer. 'Alberta welcomes advocacy from municipalities on major projects that can strengthen our province's economy and transportation network. We are always open to working with our municipal and federal partners to identify national interest projects,' the statement read. 'Our government is finalizing Alberta's first Master Rail Plan, which will provide a long-term strategy for expanding rail capacity across the province. This plan will help us evaluate opportunities, including passenger and freight rail connections, and ensure Alberta's transportation corridors remain competitive, efficient and ready to serve the needs of Albertans.'
CBC
4 hours ago
- CBC
Calgary mayor wants prime minister to designate proposed inland port as project of national interest
Mayor Jyoti Gondek says the Prairie Economic Gateway could generate billions of dollars in economic development. (Photo credit: City of Calgary)
Globe and Mail
4 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Ottawa launches consultation with development industry on design for Build Canada Homes
Ottawa is asking the development industry for input on how to design its new housing entity, Build Canada Homes. Prime Minister Mark Carney first introduced BCH during the election campaign with a promise to double the country's homebuilding and get the federal government back in the business of building properties. But very little has been revealed about how BCH will operate, including whether it will actually become a federal developer and construct homes. In a six-page document made public on its website Monday, the Housing Ministry says BCH could act as a developer in varying capacities. That includes potentially working with contractors, operators, investors and other developers to build housing, develop land, procure materials, share risks and provide expertise, according to the document posted on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada website. The document outlines options for BCH, such as contracting builders to construct housing and leasing it to affordable-housing providers, as well as acting as a facilitator to bring together land and financing to help get a project off the ground. The document does not say whether BCH would takeover some of the functions of federal housing agency Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. – which was part of the plan outlined in the Carney campaign's housing pledge. In terms of financing, the document said one of BCH's objectives would be ensuring that there are low-interest loans and contributions for the development of affordable-housing projects. Another initial objective would be ensuring long-term commitments and financial partnerships that would allow the affordable-housing sector to 'plan and scale with confidence,' the document said.
