Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics.
Given that Canada's major west coast ports are much closer to the vibrant market and commercial ports of Asia than our American competitors, would the minister please tell the House how the Asia-Pacific gateway announcement made on October 11 will help B.C. ports compete for a greater share of Asia-Pacific shipping and the west coast to become the great economic engine of Canada?