I do certainly want to thank you for your encouragement, in terms of the direction this piece of legislation is bringing to our colleagues around the table.
In terms of the strategy that's developed for our gateway strategy, the framework agreement basically follows the geographical patterns of the country and of course the trade flows that have been recognized there. I'll let Emile and his team go into probably a little more detail.
Just to give you an overarching view, that is the way we set up the continental Ontario-Quebec gateway, which goes into the heartland of the United States, as well as the Asia-Pacific one, which was initiated previously but which we funded considerably over the last number of years, and which offers, I believe quite honestly, a best-practice environment. It showcases a lot of things, I think, we can do, in terms of developing our competitiveness abroad.
In the case of the Atlantic gateway, we have come to realize that we need to be able to develop a comprehensive approach, and that's why the four provinces came together and agreed with us on the MOU. We are in the midst of putting together, over the course of the next several months, the data required to be able to help us promote.
Rightly so, you pointed out that the changing climate offers, I think, new opportunities for Canada up in the Fort Churchill area. The Prime Minister, as a matter of fact, was up there not long ago, and he announced investments into the rail system.
It is not at all excluded from the Building Canada plan. As a matter of fact, we have set aside money to be able to analyze and do the research on the new trends that are coming up. We do want to look at an Arctic gateway, and it will be an overarching strategy that should eventually come up.
Regarding the security and policing issue, over the course of the last several months we have put forward programs to ensure our restricted areas are secured, or at least the restricted areas in the ports. There are programs there. We have signed agreements with the Montreal Port Authority, the Halifax Port Authority. Emile can respond to that.
In Vancouver, because there was a request on behalf of the union and the labour group to be able to put that aside until such time as they complete their elections, that also should be moving forward.
Maybe, Emile, you have a point to add to those issues.