2009 Annual Magazine - Manitoba Heavy Construction Association

c. It is at the crossroads of Trans Canada Highway #1 andU.S. Highway I-94, with access to the heart of the Mid-Continents Trade Corridor;d. It is a major highway transport centre.e. It has an airport that operates 24/7 and as the onlyCategory 2 airport between Toronto and Vancouver hasvirtually zero closedown periods.What we require to exploit our natural advantages is a designatedarea where, under a single authority, the varioustransportation modes can be integrated to provide the mostefficient supply chain from “Shanghai to Chicago.”The Mayor’s Trade Council report identified the airport andlands west of the airport as the ideal location for Manitoba’sinland port. This area provides the opportunity for highway,rail and air connections in addition to land for industrialdevelopment.The Richardson International Airport is one of Canada’smajor air cargo terminals and ranked first in the number ofcargo landings during 2007. The trend to intermodal movementof goods is reflected in the decision of Canada Postand Greyhound Bus Lines to build major facilities within theairport perimeter. The increase in fuel costs has madeWinnipeg an attractive in-transit point for air cargo from Asiato the U.S. mid-west. Using Winnipeg for trans-shipmentfrom air to road, air carriers can reduce the weight taken upby fuel and replace this with revenue cargo.The Winnipeg Airports Authority has had discussions withcargo carriers in both China and Russia. The business casepresented indicates that on each flight from Shanghai toChicago, using Winnipeg as a trans-shipment point, therewould be a 20% reduction in cost.In addition, the Port of Churchill can provide a marine gatewayfrom Europe to Western Canada and the U.S. Russiahas indicated an interest in a route from Murmansk toChurchill. With the use of ice breaker support, the shippingseason could be extended and would provide needed importtraffic. This traffic could move from Churchill to the intermodalcentre in Winnipeg for trans shipment to final destinations.To fully benefit from the establishment of an integrated multimodalfacility, Manitoba must be more than a corridor. Wemust couple our transportation advantage with the opportunityto add value to products moving through the corridor.The increase in fuel costs has madeWinnipeg an attractive in-transitpoint for air cargo from Asia to theU.S. mid-westTo achieve this goal requires establishing a Special IntegratedEconomic Zone (S.I.E.Z.). Such zones have existed in theU.S.A. since 1934. While there are variations in structureand regulatory treatment, they are in varying degrees FreeTrade Zones.The basic design provides that material can enter the designatedzone and be assembled or finished. So long as theproduct is for export, it receives favourable treatment relativeto customs and excise duties. In addition, both themunicipal and provincial governments provide favourabletreatment of enterprise in the designated area.Such a zone in Manitoba would be the first in Canada andwould reduce the advantage presently enjoyed by competitiveU.S. centres. The Richardson International Airport andadjacent lands, totaling 6600 acres, could be such a designatedarea. While the Airports Authority has completed astrategic plan, funds are required to prepare the final business“blueprint”.But the first priority is to establish the Inland Port and developthe inter-modal facilities. To be successful, Manitobamust speak with a single voice.The Federal Government policy provides for Inland Portsand Gateways. The Premier has indicated support for theInland Port concept. The City Council has adopted thereport of the Mayor’s Trade Council. We must now marshalthe support of the private sector to make the plan a reality.This is a once in a generation opportunity for Manitoba. Witha supportive regulatory framework and the commitment ofthe private sector, the Special Integrated Economic Zonecan become the engine for economic growth and a steptoward making Manitoba a “have” province.Arthur Mauro is Chair of the Winnipeg Airports Authority.MHCA 2009 Annual Magazine 11