Bonjour. Bienvenue. Hello and welcome.

And on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Canada’s Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, thank you for joining this mission. 

Unfortunately Minister Cannon could not join us as the prime minister asked him to open, on his behalf, the International Civil Aviation Organization meeting in Montreal this week.

And he is also remaining close to home for important by-elections in Quebec. 

Minister Cannon extends his best wishes for a successful Congress and the many business opportunities that this Congress will bring for the Canadian delegation.

I am happy to be here on his behalf.

I would therefore like to welcome you all to Paris.

We have a lot to celebrate.

It is appropriate that 100 years after the first World Road Congress, the event is returning to the French capital where it all began.

By doing so, we can celebrate this centenary in a manner that reflects the importance of roads in our lives and throughout history. 

A busy week is about to begin and I am convinced that it will be extremely beneficial for all of us.

Within the context of our third trade mission to the World Road Congress, once again our country is proudly represented by numerous Canadian companies working in the area of road infrastructure and road transport.

In particular, I am very pleased to see that a large number of companies here with us in Paris were also participants in the 22nd Congress that was held in Durban, South Africa in 2003.

And I want to underscore the fact that our family is getting bigger.

In 2003, the Canadian delegation had 36 exhibitors. Since then, 28 new companies have joined us for a total of 64. As well, over 200 Canadians are here for this important event.

Thus, I would like to welcome all participants and I hope that your stay in Paris will be very pleasant and productive.

Our government is counting on your expertise and knowledge to show the whole world that Canada leads in innovation with regard to road infrastructure and road transport.

This event is a unique networking opportunity.

We have a lot to offer, but we can also benefit from best practices and new approaches from around the world.

I am convinced that you will come back to Canada with many new ideas and contacts that you will have made during your meetings this week.

I will personally make sure Minister Cannon is well-briefed on your contribution to this important international event.

Throughout this week, I would ask you to keep in mind the next International Winter
Road Congress which will be held in Quebec in 2010.

I trust that you will promote this event among Congress delegates in Paris.

In addition, I salute my Quebec counterpart, who will undoubtedly speak eloquently about this event and about Québec City.

The Canadian Trade Mission would certainly not be what it is without the participation of the provinces and territories that are all represented here at this Congress.

I want to acknowledge the presence of the ministers responsible for transportation from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, who have accepted Minister Cannon’s invitation.

Our presence here is a demonstration of the exceptional collaboration that we have been promoting since we formed the new Government of Canada – open federalism inspired by the spirit that gave birth to the Canadian federation, that is, respecting the provinces’ specific responsibilities and sharing certain responsibilities efficiently.

This approach allows the partners within the Canadian federation to collaborate better in order to carry out certain projects like the one that we are starting today.

On behalf of the Government of Canada and on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, I hope you enjoy the Congress.

Thank you.