Omar Alghabra’s Speech to Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce February 28, 2023
This is a transcript of Transport Minister Omar Alghabra’s Speech to Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce February 28, 2023
[ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS]
It’s been a tough three years. It’s been a tough three years for the entire world. A once in a 100 year pandemic arrived.
The government did its best to protect the health and safety of Canadians but also to shore up our economy.
We saw public health measures that were unprecedented or extraordinary. And we worked our way through it, but government made tough decisions, Canadians had to make sacrifices. And Canada’s coming out of the pandemic stronger than most countries around the world. We have one of the lowest debts per capita in the world, had one of the best economic recoveries in the world and we’re really going through one of the lowest inflation rates compared to our likeminded countries, compared to the US, compared to Germany, compared to France, compared to Mexico, compared to New Zealand.
It continues to be a challenging period. We are still dealing with the rising cost of living. We’re still dealing with economic uncertainty. And we’re still dealing with the hangover from covid, and all the impacts its had on our economy.
One of those impacts has been on our supply chain. We continue to see supply chain challenges. They’re getting better, but we continue to see supply issues. If you want to buy a new car good luck finding one. Good luck having the dealership meet the expected delivery time.
That’s just the symptoms of the current supply chain challenges, that the entire world is facing.
Our government never lost sight of what is important during this challenging period. The focus has always been on Canadians. How do we support Canadians and how do we support Canadian businesses during a very uncertain period of time. And currently we are providing immediate support to vulnerable Canadians so they are able to deal with the rising cost of living in these unprecedented times.
Whether it’s doubling the GST rebate, dental plan for families, rental support for vulnerable renters.
But we’re also focused on shoring up our economy and investing in our economy.
And that’s why I’m delighted to keep coming back to Saint John because Saint John is certainly one of those nexus, one of those communities that straddles such a promising and a bright future for the region and for the entire country.
And in speaking about supply chains, let’s talk about the port of Saint John. I think it’s probably if not the fasted growing port in Canada, it’s one of the fastest growing ports in Canada.
And I’m not sure many years ago people thought they could describe Port Saint John as being one of the fastest growing ports in Canada. It grew from 87,000 TEUs to 150,000 TEUs that’s almost doubling the capacity.
And I know the port and its operators have exciting plans for its future because they see that potential and we see that potential.
Last summer I came here again thanks to the work that [MP] Wayne [Long] does every day, to announce a total of $42 million of investment in the Port and the rail that connects to the port.
These are exciting times for Saint John, businesses in Saint John, and the people of Saint John. Just in 2022 alone the community received $195 million in federal investment in Saint John and Rothesay alone just in 2022.
The airport continues to be an important part of the success story of Saint John. You want to continue to attract tourists and businesses you need to have a strong airport. During Covid our government provided support to the airport, just prior to Covid $10 million investment in upgrades for the terminal and the runway.
We understand how important it is to have that integrated economy that provides incentives for businesses that creates hospitable environment for businesses to develop and to grow, but also to attract labour to attract tourists.
Just last summer you welcomed your 3 millionth cruise ship tourist to the city.
I’m really delighted to come back, this is I think my third or fourth time in Saint John and since I’ve been appointed the minister, and that’s just been two years. And in fact that involved a year where there was very little travel so I’d say that’s almost been one year of my role as minister of transport.
I want to thank all of you for your leadership for your advocacy for your vision. I want to thank the workers at the port, the workers at the airport, the workers throughout the transportation sector.
Most Canadians don’t think a lot about how products got to their shelves, their kitchen cabinets. During covid we realized how critical the work is that our transportation workers do every day. That’s why I’m really grateful to all of them for their commitment, their professionalism.
And I’m really honored to be with all of you. I’m looking forward to working more with you on the plans and growth you have for the community and the city, the province, Atlantic Canada