News Release

National 2010

Moving Forward with Expanding Border Facilities in BC thanks to Canada's Economic Action Plan

Vancouver, British Columbia, April 15, 2010 — The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, announced today that the Government of Canada has awarded a contract to Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd. to design expanded border-crossing facilities in British Columbia, as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. This contract is one phase of a larger $20 million accelerated infrastructure package to improve the processing of goods and people at the Abbotsford-Huntingdon and Pacific Highway border crossings.

"Through our Economic Action Plan, our Government continues to create jobs and invest in the infrastructure that our country needs," said Minister Toews. "Through the modernization of border infrastructure we are facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel across our shared border without sacrificing security."

"The Government of Canada is recognizing the talent of Canadian companies," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada and the Minister for Status of Women. "My department looks forward to working with Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd. in the design of these new border crossing facilities."

"This investment will improve the commercial processing capacity of the ports of entry at Pacific Highway and Abbotsford-Huntingdon, building on investments made as part of the Asia-Pacific Gateway Corridor Initiative and strengthening British Columbia's position as a key link in the global supply chains between North America and Asia," said the Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

The $1.7 million contract includes design and management services required to construct a new commercial inspection warehouse, renew aging inspection booths, and improve vehicle traffic flow and public transaction counter areas for the processing and examination of commercial importations. 

Further details on Canada's Economic Action Plan can be found at: http://www.actionplan.gc.ca

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For media information

Hannah Mahoney
Communications Advisor
CBSA Pacific Region
604-666-6084