May 24, 2012 - Pattullo Bridge Dialogue: Giving Business a Voice

Pattullo Bridge Business Dialogue takes place on May 24th : Giving Business A Voice on the Pattullo Bridge

Jointly hosted by the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce and the Surrey Board of Trade, we invite you to attend our jointly hosted Business Dialogue called Pattullo Bridge: Giving Business A Voice. We need your help - offer your perspectives on this vital transportation connector for the business community.

The Pattullo Bridge, which serves as a vital link between New Westminster and Surrey needs to be focused on from a business perspective. The purpose of this event is to ensure that the business voice is heard on giving them the opportunity to provide feedback on infrastructure improvements on the Pattullo Bridge. The future of transportation that supports economic growth is a fundamental element to a prosperous economy in Surrey and New Westminster.
 
The Surrey Board of Trade and the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce, which represents the business interests in our respective areas, see the need for a comprehensive Transportation Strategy for our area to support future growth. As with any region in the province the viability of the local and regional economies are directly linked with the transportation networks that it serves.
 
While BC looks to position itself as the Gateway to the Asia Pacific, we are reminded of our significant infrastructure deficits that are a result of a history of under investments in infrastructure from all levels of government. Major investment and development is needed to facilitate trade and economic growth.
 
As a business community we appreciate the value in due diligence. As infrastructure upgrade requirements present themselves in our cities to potential investors the lengthy regulatory process results in higher than expected costs and causes uncertainty.

Invited Panelists: City of New Westminster, City of Surrey, Lower Mainland Chamber Transportation Panel, TransLink

Why: The business community needs to understand what the options are related to the successful movement of goods, services and labour and to be able to articulate any concerns.
We expect the agenda for the session to flow as follows:
 
10:00 am Welcomes and Introduction of Moderator
10:10 am TransLink: Overview of Options
10:25 am City of New Westminster: Perspective
10:40 am City of Surrey: Perspective
10:55 am Lower Mainland Chamber Transportation Panel: Business Positions
11:10 am - 11:50 am Questions and Answers from Audience
11:55 am Final Comments
12:00pm Dialogue Concludes