Welcome

The Northwest Corridor is one of Canada's leading economic regions. Spanning four western provinces with Pacific Port locations at Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Stewart and inbound and outbound NAFTA trade flowing through Winnipeg, the Corridor has a modern, uncongested and well-connected network of highways, railways, airports and marine port facilities. This network provides key connections to producer and consumer markets in North America, Asia, Europe, South America and Africa.

The Northwest Corridor Development Corporation (NCDC) was officially established as a Canadian not-for-profit organization in 1998. The corporation's affiliation, central to the natural synergy of transportation and trade, was initiated in 1996 by way of an inter-provincial conference. Conference proceedings led to a 1997 federal transportation and trade potential. One of the study's top recommendations was to implement a self-sustaining organization to promote Canadian trade through this very capable route and from Asia Pacific markets. The study went on to say that greater awareness of the trade benefits for Canada by using both the north and south Western Canada Transportation Corridors must be undertaken as we enter the global millenium.

Today, the Northwest Corridor Development Corporation has a growing membership of private and public sector representatives, including utilities, transportation companies, manufacturers, labour groups, all three levels of government, and individuals.

Mission Statement:

To sustain, enhance and help market the globally competitive transportation infrastructure of Canada's Northwest Corridor, to increase the trade and economic potential of the region.

NCDC Roles:

Unifier:
brings together the voices of the private and public sector
Coordinator:
provides a forum to explore solutions to economic challenges arising from transportation issues, both within the Corporation and between the Corporation and other organizations
Advocate:
pursues solutions and opportunity at all levels
Pathfinder:
makes connections between people with problems and people with solutions, people buying and people selling, people with questions and people with answers
Promoter:
markets the assets and resources of the corridor, and providing a reliable and thorough source for information about the corridor

The Goals of the Corridor are to:

  • Express trade synergy and efficiencies of the northwest corridor, and provide a utilization strategy for the Corridors long term future (twenty five year horizon) hat increases Canadian trade;
  • Provide strong leadership for future transportation policy and trade decisions while expediting full capabilities of the northwest and southwest corridors in Western Canada;
  • Illustrate greater international competitiveness for Western Canada by attracting new business and customers to the northwest corridor while competitively retaining existing transportation and trade levels;
  • Identify and address important issues affecting the Corridor capabilities;
  • Raise awareness among stakeholders and the general public with respect to the NW Corridor and its contributions to local, provincial and national economics;
  • Provide clear delineation to the fact that Western Canada has two Transportation and trade Corridors. One at the 49th parallel and one at the 54th; one that is at capacity, and one that is under utilized.
  • Support initiatives of individual member stakeholders to improve customer service and competitiveness of the Corridor for all users

Action Priorities:

  • Pursue the achievement of the NCDC Strategic Plan
  • Continue various lobby efforts for Corridor enhancing activities and developments
  • Continue to promote the economic, environmental and social benefits to be realized through a federal acknowledgement of its northwestern transportation and trade route, and the efficiencies to be gained by enhancement of that route
  • Promote the use of the NCDC web site and create a network of links
  • Deliver annual NCDC Conference and AGM
  • Secure, package and launch a development fund to spur economic diversification along the Corridor and its recognized feeder regions (supported by multi-year or Aevergreen@ funding from an outside source)
  • Increase membership, particularly from mid and large size industrial operators and, geographically, through Alberta and Saskatchewan

Specific 2007/2008 Action Priorities:

External Markets

  1. Develop closer relationship with those locally that are connected and involved with export and import trade.
    • The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
    • S. U. C. C. E. S. S.
    • B.C. Ministry of Economic Development
    • Alberta Ministry of International Trade and Intergovernmental relations
    • Federal Government Ministry of International Trade
    • Asia Pacific Trade Council
  2. Expand knowledge base of the Corridor to all current and potential users.
    • Shipping companies
    • Shippers
    • Freight forwarders
  3. Produce video in English and Mandarin highlighting the Corridor and it's benefits and place it on the NCDC web site.
  4. Market the Corridor as an " Economic Trade Zone"
  5. Maintain up to date web site with links to other web sites.

Internal Markets

  1. Encourage the development of industries throughout the Corridor's area of influence.
    • Expanded agriculture
    • Development of a northern petrochemical industry
    • Increased mining
  2. Differentiate and brand the Corridor as a separate but intrinsic part of Canada's Pacific Gateway.

Infrastructure

  1. Work to achieve expansion of the feeder connections to the main corridor.
  2. Assist with resolution of transportation issues for industries developing northern industrial activities.
  3. Strive for efficiency of service and reduction of shipping cost throughout the corridor system.
  4. Play an active role in the Federal and Provincial Governments " Gateway Strategies".
  5. Address the issue of empty container availability and usage.

Communication

  1. Organize regular visits to the Provincial Capitals of B.C., Alberta, Northwest Territories, ( possibly also Saskatchewan) to meet with elected officials, senior bureaucrats and local industry.
  2. Arrange annual visits to Ottawa and meetings with elected Federal politicians, and senior bureaucrats.
  3. Maintain close relations with Local, Provincial and Federal Governments officials.
  4. Visit economic regulatory zones to present and receive input, insight and information.
  5. Differentiate and brand the Corridor as a separate but intrinsic part of Canada's Pacific Gateway.

Human Skills

  1. Support the Post Secondary lobby of Provincial Governments and industry for expanded training in the north.
  2. Encourage youth to consider transportation and logistics as a career.
  3. Promote First Nations training particularly for the transportation industry.
  4. Influence immigration policy to ensure increased immigration and that those arriving consider the northern opportunities.

Electric Power

  1. 1. Work with and encourage Governments to ensure that the electric power required of current and potential northern power users is readily available

Principles For Growth

Corridor members recognize the need for principles that guide conduct and performance of all types of development and growth in the Northwest Transportation and Trade Corridor. The following principles help ensure that growth is targeted and that it does not compromise the Northwest Corridor's quality of life, people, and environment.

  • NCDC supports development that is environmentally sustainable.
  • NCDC advocates excellence in labour-management relations and stable employment for all.
  • NCDC endeavours to foster close working relations with First Nations.
  • NCDC strives to ensure there is a healthy rural and urban living environment for all.
  • NCDC strives to ensure the Northwest Corridor continues to contribute to the economic competitiveness of Canada.

If your business or organization would benefit from our marketing efforts and advocacy activities, and you are interested in supporting corridor development initiatives please contact us regarding membership. Privileges include a monthly newsletter, ongoing NCDC Board liaison with business, industry, all levels of governments, policy analysts, and transportation and trade representatives. Operations include publicity, marketing and strategic planning, with an Annual General Meeting and Conference which rotates locations throughout the Northwest Corridor.