Vancouver, B.C.: The leaders of the Lower Mainland's three gateway ports confirmed today that progress continues to be made toward the development of a single Canada Port Authority to manage marine and intermodal trade through southern British Columbia.

The chairs, board members and CEOs of the Vancouver Port Authority, Fraser River Port Authority and North Fraser Port Authority have held discussions about the formation of a new integrated port authority since July 2006, at the request of the federal Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon. The three ports announced today that a comprehensive business case for the proposed merger would be presented well ahead of its year-end target completion date.

"We have long believed that Canada as a trading nation has a great deal to gain by encouraging greater planning and operational coordination among its major gateway ports in British Columbia," said Vancouver Port Authority Chair George Adams. "As we explore the issues and opportunities more fully with our colleagues at Fraser River Port and North Fraser Port, the benefits of a more collaborative and cohesive strategy for managing southern BC's port assets have become even clearer."

All three ports agree that a single port authority has the potential to capture an even larger share of North America's rapidly expanding trade with Asia Pacific economies, as well as creating efficiencies for port users and Canadian businesses.

"We are all extremely pleased to see this initiative underway and proceeding so rapidly," said Fraser River Port Authority Chair Peter Podovinikoff.

The efficiencies and incremental growth we can achieve at Lower Mainland ports through an integrated management structure will make a positive contribution to the Pacific Gateway Strategy goals benefiting not only British Columbia's economy, but companies and workers right across the country, said North Fraser River Port Authority Chair Doug Butterworth.

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For more information, please contact:

Anne McMullin
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Vancouver Port Authority
(604) 665-9069 (office)
(604) 665-9073 (fax)
(778) 231-6978 (cellular)
anne.mcmullin@portvancouver.com


Mark Erdman
Manager, Public Affairs
Fraser River Port Authority
(604) 523-4812 (office)
(604) 524-1127 (fax)
(604) 839-0439 (cellular)
marke@frpa.com


Allan Baydala
President & CEO
North Fraser Port Authority
(604) 273-1866 (office)
(604) 273-3772 (fax)
(604) 328-0874 (cellular)
abaydala@nfpa.com


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