Highway Funding Focus of Visit

Funding for a National Highways Program that will improve safety on Nova Scotia's highways will be at the top of the agenda for Transportation and Public Works Minister Clifford Huskilson when he goes to Ottawa for a transportation ministers' meeting today.

"Nova Scotia needs a National Highways Program. There are pressing safety concerns on some of our highways, like Highway 101, that have to be addressed," Minister Huskilson said. "That will be my message to Transport Minister David Collenette and to my provincial counterparts.

"Along with improved safety, investment in transportation infrastructure also supports economic development and creates jobs," said Mr. Huskilson.

Mr. Huskilson will meet transportation ministers from across Canada to discuss issues of mutual concern, including British Columbia's proposal for a national transportation investment strategy. Mr. Huskilson will also meet privately with Mr. Collenette.

"Minister Collenette has been very positive about the need for a National Highways Program," Minister Huskilson said. "My aim is to help create a groundswell of provincial support that will help the federal minister press his case for highway investment."

Mr. Huskilson said having Premier Russell MacLellan onside helps. "The premier has talked publicly about the need for highway funding, and one of my objectives at this meeting will be to convince the other transportation ministers from across Canada to have their provinces support a national highways initiative," said Mr. Huskilson.

During a visit to Nova Scotia by federal Finance Minister Paul Martin in April, Premier MacLellan impressed upon Mr. Martin the urgent need for a new National Highways Program. Premier MacLellan has reiterated his support for highway funding, saying that a program in the next federal budget would allow Nova Scotia to undertake a highways program next year.

"I do not expect Minister Collenette to write Nova Scotia a cheque this week, but I want to move the national highway program discussion to a new level and talk about the next steps we need to take to make highway funding a public priority," said Minister Huskilson.