Northern Task Force meets for strategic planning

Developing a strategic plan for the partners on the northern end of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance corridor was the focus of the Northern Task Force Strategic Planning Meeting in Regina, Saskatchewan on October 10 – 11.  About 30 people, primarily from Saskatchewan, Alberta, North Dakota and Montana attended the two day meeting that featured tours of local industrial facilities, presentations from each sub-region, Saskatchewan cabinet ministers and planning sessions for how communities can work together to further Ports-to-Plains goals on the northern end of the corridor.  The meeting was co-hosted by the Government of Saskatchewan and sponsored by the Global Transportation Hub, Brandt Industries, and Potzus Construction Inc..

“Focusing upon items on interest to a regions including two Canadian provinces and two U.S. states show clearly the common interests of the Northern Region of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance,” said Joe Kiely, Vice President of Operations of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance. “Participants had asked to develop clear outcomes, and I believe the process was successful.”

The planning sessions produced broad goals of establishing a strong business case for the corridor; working with US and Canadian border officials to improve border service levels and ensure security; working with partners to develop common corridor programs, regulations and permitting requirements; developing an understanding of the importance of transportation and infrastructure planning; and developing other infrastructure such as telecommunications and highway and border technology.

Minister of the Economy Bill Boyd delivered a keynote address to the meeting where he explained the importance of trade to Saskatchewan, and that participating in activities such as the Northern Task Force meeting are indicative of the importance the province places on its trade relationship with the United States.

The group also toured the Global Transportation Hub, Brandt Industries and a ClearWater Clarification project.

“It was a productive meeting, and I think it built nicely on the momentum from the Annual Ports-to-Plains Alliance Conference in Medicine Hat the week before,” said Ports-to-Plains President Michael Reeves.

The draft Strategic Plan is being finalized and will be distributed soon.