ACPA Welcomes New Board and Incoming Chair, Bernie Dumas

ACPA Welcomes New Board and Incoming Chair, Bernie Dumas
Aug 20, 2014

Ottawa, ON August 19th, 2014 – New leadership is taking over the Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA) as it launches a nationwide effort to bolster port infrastructure and navigate the shifting tides of global trade.

Following two fruitful days of networking and discussions on the future of the Canadian maritime industry at its annual conference and AGM in Bathurst, NB, ACPA is pleased to introduce its new Board of Directors, Chair, Vice-Chair and Corporate Secretary/Treasurer for 2014-2015. The new leadership group will make it a priority to work with the federal government to strengthen Canada’s ports to support increased international trade.

“Empowering ports is critical to the future economic growth of Canada,” said Mr. Bernie Dumas, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA), who was unanimously selected by the Board of Directors to be Chair of the APCA Board for 2014-15. “Now is the time for us to seize the moment. Ports are at the core of Canada’s supply chain, and are crucial to moving goods in and out of the country. We have the opportunity now to pair Canada’s 21st century trade agenda with 21st century trade efficiency.”

Ms. Karen Oldfield, President and CEO of the Halifax Port Authority, was selected as the incoming Vice-Chair of the Board.

“With an ever-increasing proportion of cargo being moved by ship, improving, growing and maintaining port infrastructure has never been more critical,” said Ms. Oldfield. “Ports are fundamental to the success of Canada’s international trade agreements and as such bring immense economic benefits to Canadian citizens. Strong ports will position Canada as a world leader in trade and supply chain efficiency.”

The ACPA Board also welcomes Pierre Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Iles, as incoming Corporate Secretary/Treasurer.

Rounding out the complement of eight Board members are:

Sean Hanrahan, St. John’s Port Authority
Mario Girard, Quebec Port Authority
Donna Taylor, Oshawa Port Authority
Robin Silvester, Port Metro Vancouver
Sylvie Vachon, Montreal Port Authority (Past Chair)
About the Association of Canadian Port Authorities
The Association of Canadian Port Authorities was founded in 1958 and groups together ports and related marine interests into one national association. ACPA represents all Canadian Port Authorities, various government entities and companies doing business in the marine sector. It is the leading Association for the advocacy and advancement of the Canadian Port Industry. ACPA members contribute significantly to the local, regional and national economy of Canada, responsible for more than 250,000 direct and indirect jobs and handling more than $162 billion worth of goods annually.

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For more information please contact:
Wendy Zatylny
President
Association of Canadian Port Authorities
Phone: (613) 232-2036
acpa-ports.net

BACKGROUNDER

About Bernie Dumas
Mr. Bernie Dumas has been Chief Executive Officer and President of Nanaimo Port Authority since January 2009. He is a 30-year veteran of the marine transportation and shipping industries. Mr. Dumas is credited with growing the Vancouver-based China (Canada) Shipping Agency from startup eight years ago to a firm that now ranks fifth in the global container trade. He has held other senior executive positions in the marine transportation industry in Canada over his career, and is the past-chair of the Canadian delegation of the Association of American Port Authoritie