Transportation Conference in Halifax

American and Canadian transportation policy-makers and stakeholders are meeting in Halifax to seek better ways to move people and goods across regional and international boundaries.

The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works will host the annual meeting of the Eastern Border Transportation Coalition (EBTC) at the Citadel Halifax Hotel on Monday, Oct. 26, and Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The coalition comprises transportation officials from the eastern border states and from Central and Eastern Canada.

"Transportation is the lifeblood of the economy," said Clifford Huskilson, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "We all benefit by making inter-provincial and international trade as quick and efficient as possible."

The EBTC will be discussing strategies and research needs to improve border crossings that can help streamline the process of moving goods by truck, rail and water.

"We can use technology to keep a trucker on the road instead of waiting at the border," said Irv Rubin, executive director of the international coalition. "Implementing such communications systems will be the key. Delays are costly."

Mr. Huskilson said the potential for development of rapid-access trade corridors can stretch from Atlantic container piers to the Saint Clair River crossings that carry millions of dollars of exports and imports between Michigan and Ontario.

"Modern communications can improve the exchange of information and data that is critical to the development of trade corridors," said Mr. Huskilson. "Commercial operators, tourists, and everyday travellers can benefit from these strategies."

The EBTC is a non-profit organization of government and quasi-government jurisdictions whose purpose is to facilitate the movement of people and goods between the United States and Canada, particularly from the Ontario/Michigan border, eastward.

The current membership includes the departments of Transportation for the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario; Atlantic Provinces Transportation Commission; the Region Niagara; the U.S. Departments of Transportation for Maine, Vermont, New York and Michigan; and the metropolitan planning organizations of Detroit and Buffalo.

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, customs and immigrations agencies from both countries, and the operators of major crossing facilities are key stakeholders.

EASTERN BORDER TRANSPORTATION COALITION

MEETING AGENDA
CITADEL HOTEL, HALIFAX OCT. 26-27, 1998

MONDAY, OCT. 26

9 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. MORNING SESSION

Welcoming Remarks: William D. Hogg, Deputy Minister, Department of Transportation and Public Works, Nova Scotia.

Self-Introductions by Members and Guests

Changes in Cross-Border Auto and Truck Volumes:
Don Vuchetich, Bridge and Tunnel Operators Association

Border and Corridor Developments, Plans and Issues:
EBTC State, Provincial and Metropolitan Members

Ontario's Gateway Study:
Rob Tardif, Ontario Ministry of Transportation

11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. LUNCH BREAK

1 p.m. - 5 p.m. AFTERNOON SESSION

Transport Canada's International Border Crossing Study:
Brian Hicks, Transport Canada

AASHTO Views TEA 21:
Otto Sonefeld, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials TEA 21: Border, Corridor, Data and Money Provisions: Roger Petzold, Federal Highway Administration

The Canadian National Roadside Truck Survey:
Emile DiSanza, Transport Canada Rob Tardif, Ontario Ministry of Transportation

TUESDAY, OCT. 27

9 a.m. - noon MORNING SESSION

Section 110, The Sword of Damocles (U.S. Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act) Irv Rubin, EBTC

Section 110, The Next 30 Months Dianne Hinckley, Chief of Enforcement, US Immigration and Naturalization Service

The EBTC June Data Conference in Toronto: Conclusions and Next Steps Connie Morrison, Michigan Department of Transportation

The EBTC, 1998 Activities, 1999 Program Irv Rubin, EBTC