VANCOUVER, B.C. — Container and
commodity movement will remain strong in Western
Canada for the next 15 years, predicts the Western
Transportation Advisory Council.

The council — a forum dedicated to strengthening the
western Canadian economy through its transportation
system — has embarked on a study that forecasts large
growth in traffic through Western Canada.

With partial funding from Transport Canada, the
project’s aim is to give a clear picture of future
surface freight transportation demands, which will
help ensure adequate capacity to handle goods in a
timely and cost-effective manner. These predictions
increase the likelihood that investment will be made
in western Canadian infrastructure, WESTAC says.

In the 1980’s and 1990’s WESTAC published several
reports forecasting commodity movements out of Western
Canada. Information was gathered from a wide range of
shippers, producers, associations, carriers, ports and
terminals to achieve a neutral, balanced and credible
forecast.

“With cooperation we can determine what is needed to
maximize Western Canada’s future success,” the group
says.

The results of this forecasting project will be
presented and discussed at a forum December 7 and 8 in
Vancouver.

For further information, please contact: Ruth Sol,
President, WESTAC Lisa Baratta, Manager, Corporate Services at
604/687.8691.