Thank you, dear Chair Schiefke and members of the committee.
My name is Justus Veldman. I am a managing partner with the BMI Group, a property development company specializing in the repurposing of industrial infrastructure. As the largest developer of end-of-use paper mills in Ontario, with significant rail and water infrastructure in place, it is an honour to be invited to address amendments to this bill.
In our Niagara ports properties alone, we have facilitated over $430 million of investment capital and have created well over 250 full-time permanent jobs. With our latest acquisition of 400 acres in Port Colborne, we own and operate in excess of 900 acres in total of port lands adjacent to the Welland Canal. With our existing partnership with the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority, the Niagara ports trade corridor is among the top five in Canada.
Our development in northern Ontario, in the town of Red Rock, which is another former paper mill town and the northernmost port on Lake Superior, is inclusive of a full first nations partnership and is in the process of signing an MOU with a significant lithium producer, which is contingent on its development.
The modernization of port operations, their security and their efficiency is very much in our interest. We are heavily investing in the success of our projects and advocating for the modernization of the St. Lawrence Seaway, particularly the Welland Canal section, to unlock its full potential as an economic driver.
The legacy structure we're working with makes it difficult to realize the full development potential of the regions we work in and the new traffic it will generate. Our continued challenging experience with the ongoing issues with the seaway reinforces the need and the urgency of updating and upgrading the structure of the Welland Canal corridor and its management. This corridor is important, and it needs to be modernized to fully optimize this Transport Canada asset. Make no mistake: Bringing attention to the corridor will, in fact, strengthen supply chain fluidity and resilience.
The effort to strengthen relationships and reconciliation with indigenous peoples is recognized as a very positive step forward.
We also recognize the efficiencies in inspection, including remote and automated systems, but they could present their own unique challenges, which we are open to working through to enable the secure, efficient and free flow of goods.
We acknowledge the bill's request to extend ministerial powers, and the subsequent potential for challenges to the Charter of Rights. However, given the justice minister's review, we trust that these powers will benefit all Canadians, will not be used in excess and will enhance the security of the supply chain sector.
While the sector is largely east-west focused, we see and would stimulate you to think about the significant opportunity for connecting the remote north to the south, and the necessity of connecting isolated, remote communities and of developing regional potential in these. Economic development and infrastructure mandates to this effect will significantly contribute to the prosperity and the security of the northern country.
On behalf of the BMI Group, thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee, for your time and attention, and for the opportunity to contribute.