A day after US ambassador, Paul Celucci, told a Toronto business audience that the United States was disappointed over the lack of support from the Canadian federal government for the US-led war with Iraq and raised the spectre of economic consequences for Canada, David Bradley, CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, whose industry hauls 70% of Canada’s trade with the United States, said “it is imperative that our political leaders take immediate and meaningful steps to repair relations with our best friend and largest trading partner.” He said “this is the number one issue facing the Canadian economy. If direct investment in manufacturing flows south of the border, there won’t be much need for trucks, trains, boats and planes and Canada’s ability to generate wealth through trade will be choked off.”
Bradley was speaking at a Transportation Blueprint Workshop presented by The Van Horne Institute and the Western Transportation Advisory Committee (WESTAC) that focused on the Transport Canada document released in February-- “Straight Ahead” A Vision for Transportation in Canada.