One can appreciate the fact our provincial government has recently embarked on what we hope will be a short-lived era of austerity. But, at the same time, we feel Saskatchewan will be ill-served if there isn’t at least one decision-making mind at the table when the Central North American Trade Corridor delegates gather in Bismarck, N.D. on May 18 for a three-day summit.
As we have learned over the past two weeks, this trade corridor concept is one that is very much alive, and its advocates are carefully and realistically pursuing solutions to improve trade among North American partners.
What makes us believe that Saskatchewan deserves a strong mind and voice at this upcoming summit is the fact that there are so many benefits to be gained by the province that to ignore this latest push for international trade would be at our economic, social and academic peril.
The Time to Twin group in southeast Saskatchewan, showed foresight and leadership with their recent unofficial meeting with advocates of the trade corridor in the United States.
Steve Pedersen, one of the trade corridor leaders, is now suggesting that Minot needs to take interest in the Highway 39 twinning project since upgrading Highway 52 in North Dakota is now becoming a necessity with the expected increase in trade and tourism that will accompany the new provincial expressway in southeast Sask.
It is no secret that commercial truckers prefer the trade corridor that includes these familiar routes through South and North Dakota, into Saskatchewan and on to Edmonton or Calgary.
It is a preferred route because there are no mountain ranges to tackle with their big trucks. When time means cash, the truckers need straight roads, not a lot of hills, and some good pavement, preferably the four-lane variety.
With more four-lane expressways being promised in Saskatchewan, complete with increased speed limits and new quick pass clearances at the international borders available to the more professional drivers, it becomes a no-brainer for a provincial delegate to be there when the bright minds begin to talk about future traffic flows.
Regulations regarding truck weights and lengths are being brought together as another chip in the efficiency game.
The delegates won’t be just talking about trucks and roads either. They’ll dive into rail and airline connections, too.
But as far as the paved connections are concerned, there is no denying the fact that Saskatchewan has a clear, marked advantage when it comes to linking Mexico and Texas with their Canadian business partners, using a clear trail of accessible roads through Nebraska, Oklahoma and the Dakotas.
We should not lose this advantage to other commercial route advocates who are promoting options further east and west, as preferred routes.
These alternate routes are not as efficient as the central trade corridor can be, but they will become preferred options if we make the mistake of ignoring them and pay only lip service to those who use these international connections on a daily basis.
Those who make it easier to conduct business in Canada will win.
There is one obvious route to pursue with a clear-cut Saskatchewan advantage.
Not to have someone pointing this out in Bismarck on May 18 would be an error. Our absence and lack of interest would be clearly visible to others who are out to do business.
It’s one minor travel expense our cabinet needs to approve.
