Thank you, Mr. Schiefke.

Good morning, everybody.

Thank you for the opportunity to address the committee today.

I am joining you today from Vancouver International Airport, which is located on the traditional, unceded and continuously occupied territory of the Musqueam Indian Band. Before I begin, I'd like to pay my respects to elders past and present.

As the committee studies large port infrastructure expansion projects, it's YVR's position that the Government of Canada must take a whole-of-government approach. Our large port ecosystems are only as strong as the weakest link. The Government of Canada must ensure that the existing port ecosystem is as efficient as possible to remain globally competitive.

Aviation cargo and logistics have always been a vital component of Canada's large port ecosystem. Today airports are playing an increasingly outsized and strategic role in supporting the expansion of Canada's trade, investment and supply chain resilience. The high-value goods, products and essential supplies that are key to international trade must move by air. Historically, 70% of the cargo that moved through our port did so in the belly of passenger aircraft. That is changing rapidly. There's a seismic shift under way to dedicated air freighters in response to changing consumer habits and the need for greater supply chain resilience.

Take, for example, one of YVR's largest exports. In just about a month's time, we're entering Dungeness crab season here in British Columbia. B.C. Dungeness crab is a highly sought-after commodity in the Indo-Pacific markets, but it's also a commodity that relies on aviation to retain its freshness, and thereby its value.

Moreover, we are beginning to see a shifting of supply chains in terms of the repatriation of manufacturing to North America—for example, semiconductors. Moving forward, other growth commodities that require air access include chips to support the booming 5G and Internet of things space; value-added biomanufacturing and pharmaceuticals; as well as components to support Canadian clean-tech and clean energy companies. Companies such as General Fusion have recently relocated their global head offices to YVR. Why? They needed access to our strategic location and global connectivity.

Canada needs airport capacity and air service access to support these developing trade lanes. That's why Canada's airports and air carriers are investing in cargo. Our major Canadian airlines, WestJet and Air Canada, have made significant investments in freighter fleets that are arriving this year.

YVR is opening up highly sought-after greenfield industrial land for development. We're also investing to expand our own capacity. This includes building our $150-million airport cargo expansion project, which will facilitate more than $250 billion in trade and investment over the next 20 years.

We're also implementing digital solutions, including our new air cargo community system. It's a system we developed in collaboration with our end-users and customers, allowing us to improve data sharing, streamline our operations and enhance YVR's overall cargo handling efficiency.

Before we move to the question period, though, I'd like to leave the committee with three recommendations to consider.

First, focus support and prioritize digital infrastructure and data sharing to create greater visibility, efficiency and multimodal collaboration. This will ensure that Canada is making the most of existing and future port infrastructure, providing clarity for end-users and delivering improved climate outcomes. Impact investment programs like the national trade corridors fund, which other colleagues have mentioned, are critical, but what is more critical is the long-term stable funding for these programs.

Second, ensure that government agencies are adequately resourced to increase their own capacity and modernize. This will ensure that all agency partners can support future trade growth and adapt to the evolving trade environment without sacrificing their core safety and security functions.

Finally, invest in trade-enabling transportation infrastructure now, while exploring new multimodal connections in the future. There is an immediate opportunity and need for Canada to invest in bridges, tunnels and roads. We must also think out of the box to explore better ways to connect businesses with consumers. For example, YVR is exploring the possibility right now of “air to marine to rail” connections, using e-barges to move goods up the Fraser River, a traditional trade channel here in the region.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak today. I look forward to discussing these recommendations in more detail with committee members.

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