Huron Marine and Economic Forum returns to Goderich in October

By: Kate Smith

Bringing leaders from across Ontario’s marine, transportation, energy, agriculture, trade and economic development sectors to Goderich, the Huron Marine and Economic Forum focuses on the connections between Great Lakes shipping and the inland economy.

Hosted by the Huron Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Goderich Port Management Corporation, this is the second annual forum.

This year’s theme ‘Beyond the Breakwall: Connecting inland economic growth to global trade throughout the Great Lakes’ will broaden the conversation to examine infrastructure industries and communities connected to the Great Lakes transportation system.

According to Colin Carmichael, Executive Director of the Huron Chamber of Commerce, this year’s forum aims to demonstrate that the marine economy doesn’t stop at the shoreline.

“What happens at our ports is directly connected to farms, manufacturers, energy projects, rail and trucking, local employment and our ability to reach markets across Canada and around the world,” explained Carmichael.

“These panels bring together people who can speak to those connections from very different parts of the system.”

Carmichael confirms there will be two moderated panels, the first focuses on infrastructure and corridor capacity and the second, on economic impact and market access.

The first panel will examine the infrastructure required to move more and different kinds of cargo through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence system.

Discussion will include port capacity, rail and road connections, containerisation, border and customs considerations, corridor utilisation and the consequences of infrastructure constraints.

Steve Salmons, Windsor Port Authority, will moderate a panel featuring Captain Satinder Singh Toronto Port Authority, Neil Johnson, GIO Rail, John Grech, Pictor Terminals and Jason Card, Chamber of Marine Commerce.

This panel aims to bring together perspectives at a time when governments and businesses are increasingly focused on strengthening Canadian trade corridors and diversifying markets.

The second panel will examine how marine infrastructure supports economic development across agriculture, food processing, energy, manufacturing, logistics and other sectors.

Dave Shorey, Georgian College will moderate the panel featuring Chad Richards, Bruce Power, Darryl Markle, Parrish and Heimbecker, Chris Watson, Huron County Economic Development and Ashley Kalyn, Peacock Tariff Consulting.

Discussion will explore supply-chain resilience, investment, export opportunities and the role transportation infrastructure play in connecting regional businesses and producers with domestic and international markets.

This mix of speakers reflects the broader role marine transportation plays in Ontario’s economy, according to Frank Hurkmans, President of Goderich Port Management Corporation (GPMC).

“The Port of Goderich is an important piece of infrastructure for this region, but it operates as part of a much larger system,” said Hurkmans.

“Rail, roads, ports, agriculture, energy and industry all depend on one another. Bringing these voices together gives us an opportunity to look at where the system is working well, where the constraints are and what we need to do to position this region and Ontario for future growth.”

According to Carmichael, this forum will also include a discussion with provincial government representatives, including Ontario cabinet Trevor Jones.

As Canadian businesses continue to navigate a changing North American trade environment and renewed attention is being placed on domestic supply chains, this conversation is particularly timely.

“Trade has become a much more immediate issue for businesses over the past year,” added Carmichael.

“We have one of the most efficient transportation systems in the world sitting on our doorstep. There is a real opportunity to think more strategically about how we use it, not just for the traditional marine economy, but as an economic development asset for communities and businesses throughout the region.”

Details on the forum and on registration for the forum are available at https://huronchamber.ca/

The Huron Marine and Economic Forum is on Thursday, October 15 at the Goderich Columbus Convention Centre from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.