Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative:
Building Bridges of Transportation and Trade
between Canada and China
by John Higginbotham
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Thursday June 17, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.
Building Bridges of Transportation and Trade
between Canada and China
by John Higginbotham
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Thursday June 17, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.
Press Room/
Salle de presse Vidéotron
Ground floor/
rez-de-chaussée, Gatineau City Hall/Maison du Citoyen
25 Laurier Street, Gatineau (Hull sector)
Mr. Higginbotham will discuss Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative,
a multi-billion dollar federal-provincial-private sector project aimed to strengthen Canada's
transportation and logistic capacity to trade with China and East Asia. The Premier of British
Columbia has compared the Pacific Gateway to the St. Lawrence Seaway, in recognition of a
new pattern of development and trade, in this case Canada's Pacific destiny and the emergence of
China as an economic superpower. The Pacific Gateway is a vision and metaphor that goes
beyond trade and economic development, to include the building of more and stronger nongovernmental
links between Canadian and Chinese organizations and individuals.
Mr. John Higginbotham has just concluded an assignment as Principal Advisor, Asia-Pacific
Gateway and Corridor Initiative, based in Transport Canada, on secondment from the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He served for four years as Assistant
Deputy Minister Champion for the Initiative, including providing advice and support to
Department of Transport officials in meeting their responsibilities to the Minister for the Pacific
Gateway, and to the Minister of Transport. Among his several preceding positions, he served
for five years as Commissioner for Canada in Hong Kong, Canada’s largest immigration post
abroad. He also served twice in Beijing, first as Trade Commissioner and then as Political
Counselor.
*******
This event is free for CCFS members. Non-members are welcome and are charged $5.
CCFS-Ottawa Annual Membership is $20 (individuals), $30 (family), and $12 (students.)
As is our custom, Chinese tea and refreshments will be served.
For further information about the Society or this event please call Lorraine Farkas at 613-729-
3660 or go to www.fccfa.ca/Ottawa. Membership forms are available at this website.
a multi-billion dollar federal-provincial-private sector project aimed to strengthen Canada's
transportation and logistic capacity to trade with China and East Asia. The Premier of British
Columbia has compared the Pacific Gateway to the St. Lawrence Seaway, in recognition of a
new pattern of development and trade, in this case Canada's Pacific destiny and the emergence of
China as an economic superpower. The Pacific Gateway is a vision and metaphor that goes
beyond trade and economic development, to include the building of more and stronger nongovernmental
links between Canadian and Chinese organizations and individuals.
Mr. John Higginbotham has just concluded an assignment as Principal Advisor, Asia-Pacific
Gateway and Corridor Initiative, based in Transport Canada, on secondment from the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He served for four years as Assistant
Deputy Minister Champion for the Initiative, including providing advice and support to
Department of Transport officials in meeting their responsibilities to the Minister for the Pacific
Gateway, and to the Minister of Transport. Among his several preceding positions, he served
for five years as Commissioner for Canada in Hong Kong, Canada’s largest immigration post
abroad. He also served twice in Beijing, first as Trade Commissioner and then as Political
Counselor.
*******
This event is free for CCFS members. Non-members are welcome and are charged $5.
CCFS-Ottawa Annual Membership is $20 (individuals), $30 (family), and $12 (students.)
As is our custom, Chinese tea and refreshments will be served.
For further information about the Society or this event please call Lorraine Farkas at 613-729-
3660 or go to www.fccfa.ca/Ottawa. Membership forms are available at this website.
