THE FEDERATION FLIGHT: SUSTAINING CONFIDENCE IN CANADA
Taking Off May 17, 2018
Vancouver, BC 

May 2, 2018

On Thursday, May 17, 100 senior British Columbia business, Indigenous, community, and labour leaders will board a flight to Edmonton aimed at reinforcing the fundamental partnership that is the Canadian federation. This journey is The Federation Flight, and the men and women on board, like their fellow Canadians across the country, want to help bridge the threatening rift between the governments of British Columbia and Alberta over the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

“The Federation Flight is a continuation of the Confidence in Canada coalition’s efforts, and supports a positive relationship among all Provinces of Canada, with the Trans Mountain Expansion Project as its catalyst. But this trip is about much more than a single project,” said Iain Black, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. “This one-day trip to Alberta is a chance to reinforce the current importance of this country’s energy and resource sectors for the benefit of all Canadians. At its best, our federation improves our provincial economies, the economy of Canada, our international competitiveness, and our reputation as a great place to do business, in a country governed by the rule of law.”

Black continued, “the Federation Flight, with its emphasis on sustaining confidence in Canada, is a reminder of just how much is at stake for British Columbia, Alberta, and all of Canada. We want to support our political leaders to achieve both good business and good sustainable practices.”

Black also points to a new Ipsos poll released today that shows 56 per cent of Canadians support the expansion of the pipeline from Alberta to B.C.’s coast, reinforcing that this is a project firmly in the national interest.

The Federation Flight departs YVR early on May 17 for Edmonton. The visit will be a full day including meetings with the Premier and government of Alberta, a luncheon presentation hosted by the Edmonton and Calgary Chambers of Commerce, and networking opportunities with many of Alberta’s business, Indigenous, community, and labour leaders. The Federation Flight will return to YVR in the early evening of May 17.

"This is a meaningful initiative that highlights this importance of internal trade within Canada. There is a lot of talk, and rightly so, going on about market access and pipelines. This summit is about that, but also so much more. Alberta and B.C. have critical business-to-business relationships, regardless of what is going on between governments, and we’re looking forward to strengthening these,” said Sandip Lalli, President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “It’s important to reinforce that Canada is a place that business can get done according to a system of clear rules and laws, and that is why this meeting is significant."

“We’ve joined together with our colleagues at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and Calgary Chamber because the economic future of Albertans and all Canadians is in jeopardy,” said Janet Riopel, President and CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. “Failing to build this pipeline sends dangerous signals to investors that you can follow the rules and get all the required approvals, but still see your job-creating investment stalled to death. Canada’s track record as a serious international trading partner hangs in the balance.”

Media contact:
Trevor Pancoust, Pace Group
Phone: 604-646-3567