Atlantic Ministers Agree to Collaborate on Concerns

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Atlantic Ministers Agree to Collaborate on Concerns

Transportation ministers from the four Atlantic provinces highlighted their common concerns over national highway funding, air transportation and the need for a national strategy today at their annual meeting in St. John's, Nfld. The two-day session comes in advance of the federal and provincial transportation ministers meeting that will be held on Sept. 20 in Halifax.

Percy Barrett, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Transportation, chaired the meeting.

"There was strong consensus around the table to focus our efforts and attention on our immediate priorities, which are federal funding of highway infrastructure, provincial participation in the National Transportation Blueprint, improved federal policies dealing with air transportation, and uniform regulations governing vehicle weights and dimensions," said Mr. Barrett.

New Brunswick Transportation Minister Margaret Ann Blaney was pleased to note the high degree of commitment by all ministers.

"We have to be vigilant in moving the issue of federal funding forward given the economic implications for the entire Atlantic region," Ms. Blaney said.

"Canada's federal government collects about $4 billion a year in revenue from road fuel taxes, but reinvests less than four per cent," said Don McKinnon, Prince Edward Island's Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "The federal government must look seriously at the infrastructure deficit across the country."

"These critical air transportation issues are shared by all four Atlantic provinces," said Ron Russell, Nova Scotia's Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "The viability of small airports and air access in Nova Scotia is absolutely necessary for the economic well-being of this province."

The ministers also called for new federal policies dealing with air transportation, particularly improved air service with reasonable fares for the Atlantic region, and the financial viability of small airports.

Atlantic ministers also agreed that their provinces must collectively play an active part in shaping the federal government's National Blueprint on Transportation.

On the trucking front, ministers agreed that by mid-October, uniform regulations governing vehicle weights and dimensions will be implemented in the Atlantic provinces. This step will make it easier for the trucking industry to do business.

In addition, Walter Noel, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Government Services and Lands, highlighted the concerns regarding the use of cell phones while driving and was pleased to see general consensus by ministers that consistency on addressing this issue across jurisdictions is preferable. All agreed to co- ordinate their efforts on the issue.

Mr. Barrett raised the issue of accessibility to small aircraft (those with fewer than 30 seats) of disabled persons. Ministers are committed to seeking a resolution to this issue.

Also attending the meeting was Jane Lincoln, Deputy Commissioner for the Maine Department of Transportation. The group discussed the measures underway to support trade and the movement of goods across the border between Atlantic Canada and the Eastern United States.

E-mail: perryrg@gov.ns.ca

Rick Callahan Department of Transportation Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-4860

Gary Toft Department of Transportation New Brunswick 506-444-5070

Jeff Himelman Department of Transportation and Public Works Prince Edward Island 902-368-5112