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VANCOUVER — A report to International Trade Minister David Emerson is calling for major changes to Canada's Pacific marine ports, airports and railways to make them more competitive.
The report on the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative is recommending further consolidation of West Coast port administration, more competition, more competition among shippers inside the ports and speedier handling of containers.
It's also calling for drastic reform to work rules in the ports to make them true round-the-clock operations.
The report by three advisers also calls for flexible and more competitive operation of Canada's two major railways and suggests that, if it doesn't happen, Ottawa consider buying the rail lines and opening access to other operators.
The advisers also recommend reforming airport authorities, moving aggressively to an open-skies policy that would allow more foreign airlines to operate in Canada, and making it easier for foreign travellers to transit through Canada without visas.
The report warns Canada risks being a marginal player in global trade without a more efficient transportation supply chain.
