Prime Minister Mark Carney won his election campaign on a promise to build “Canada Strong.” In the first weeks of his new term, he’s taken steps towards this goal. He has promised to build the strongest economy in the G7 as part of his mandate for change, and has made clear that despite our close trading relationship, the days of close integration with the United States are over.
小蓝视频 Premier David Eby, for his part, wrote in BIV that our province will be the “economic engine of the new Canada that emerges from this global transition.”
These are fine sentiments, and they meet the moment: Our relationship with the United States is toxic, and will take a long time to recover, if it ever does. Building a strong Canada means strengthening our ties overseas, bringing Canadian-grown food and Canadian-made products to global markets. It means securing our supply chains and ensuring they are reliable. And it means ensuring that our gateway to the bustling markets of the Pacific Rim is open for business.
This is a mission of national importance. And it can start in the Fraser Valley, with decisive action to build up the roads, highways and dykes that will connect Canada to the world.
The Fraser Valley is a vital transportation corridor for British Columbia and the entire country. The stretch of Highway 1 from Langley to Chilliwack transports more than $65 billion in commercial goods per year as part of the Asia-Pacific Gateway.
This is a big number, but as big as it is, it must grow: The world’s fastest-growing markets are in Asia, and they represent a critical opportunity to diversify our markets and decrease our reliance on — and vulnerability to — the United States.
But it can’t grow so long as critical infrastructure in this vital transportation corridor — like flood mitigation in Abbotsford — remains unfunded. The 2021 floods laid bare what’s at stake: $16.3 billion in GDP losses, shutdowns of key trade routes and severe damage to farms, businesses and families. And with climate change, it’s not a matter of if this will happen again, it’s when.
To make matters worse, the province that “competing priorities” means there is no money on the way for critical flood-planning work. Making 小蓝视频’s economy stronger means we need to invest in this critical corridor by protecting it from future flood threats.
Supply chains are only as strong as their weakest link, and ours have been under constant strain due to flooding, wildfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and repeated labour disruptions, including 35 days of uncertainty and disruption to our West Coast ports in Vancouver and Prince Rupert. Unreliable supply chains influence Canada’s desirability as a trading partner and a place to invest and do business.
This is more than just a local issue — it’s a national economic risk. If our supply chains are so easily disrupted, Canada cannot access lucrative markets overseas and we can’t compete globally.
If we do want to compete on the world stage, we must address these constraints head-on with an agenda for growth. As Prime Minister Carney said during the election campaign, he wants Canada to spend less but invest more. And the Fraser Valley is exactly where we should invest.
With a booming population, thriving small businesses, a world-class agritech sector and key pieces of trade and transportation infrastructure like Highway 1, national rail lines and Abbotsford International Airport, this region is a national asset — and a gateway to the rest of the world.
Other nations are investing aggressively in their high-potential regions. Canada must do the same. The Fraser Valley is ready — with the people, plans, momentum and a track record of delivering.
What we need now is a federal and provincial commitment to match our ambition. We must expand and modernize Highway 1. We must, finally, fund flood mitigation infrastructure in Abbotsford. We must unlock our housing and industrial land supply and build transit systems that connect people to jobs efficiently.
Competitive nations don’t abandon regions like this. They invest in them.
It’s time Canada did, too.
Alex Mitchell is CEO of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.
