Gondek urges PM Carney to designate Prairie Economic Gateway project of national importance

Calgary’s mayor is calling on the prime minister to prioritize and recognize the importance of a major infrastructure project that she says will help boost the city’s status as a supply chain hub.

Speaking on Monday, Mayor Jyoti Gondek urged Mark Carney’s Liberal government to designate the Prairie Economic Gateway project as one of “national importance.”

A partnership between the City of Calgary and Rocky View County, the Prairie Economic Gateway is proposed major inland terminal on the border of both municipalities that would aim to solidify Calgary as a hub for the supply chain across Western Canada and North America.

“This is the type of project that Bill C-5 was written for,” said Gondek. “A project that strengthens Canada’s autonomy, turbo charges our economy, connect our internal markets, and open us up to new ones in the world.”

Bill C-5 gives the federal government sweeping new powers to speed up permitting for what the Liberals have called “nation-building projects.”

One part of the bill, the Building Canada Act, aims to streamline approval processes for projects the government have designated to be of national importance.

The proposed site for the Prairie Economic Gateway industrial park is along Calgary’s southeast city limits, east of Ralph Klein park.

According to Gondek, the strategic location for the project allows for direct access to CPKC’s main line, is close to the Calgary International Airport, and close to the Trans-Canada Highway and Alberta Highway 2 intersection.

The project is expected to generate $7 billion in economic activity, and create 30,000 jobs in its first decade, according to the city.

“Gateway is also poised to become a manufacturing hub,” says Gondek. “A place where we produce, assemble, and add value right here at home before we ship to the world.”

“Right now, more than 70 per cent of our nation’s exports go to the U.S. That’s too much reliance on one market.”

Gondek officially launched her reelection campaign last week in a bid for a second term as mayor ahead of October’s municipal election.

Highlighting her first-term achievements, she cited launching the Prairie Economic Gateway and bringing public and private partners together to invest in the city.

Carney’s Bill C-5 has received waves of criticism and pushback from Alberta First Nations chiefs who argue it violates their rights by failing to properly consult on legislation intended to fast track major projects.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has applauded the bill in hopes it will help get more pipelines built.

With files from The Canadian Press