Uniform Truck Regulations Approved in Principle

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Uniform Truck Regulations Approved In Principle

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador have approved in principle a plan to establish uniform truck regulations. The regulations will govern the weight and dimensions for highway transport vehicles throughout Atlantic Canada by October 2001.

Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, made the announcement today in co-operation with his counterparts in Atlantic Canada.

"Reducing interprovincial trade barriers with our partners in the Atlantic region will help us increase the level of economic activity within the region," said the minister. "Standard rules will make it easier and less expensive to ship goods in the Atlantic region. That should stimulate economic development and, hopefully, lower costs for consumers."

For the past two years discussions have been underway between the four Atlantic provinces to address one of the most commonly cited barriers to efficient truck transportation within the region.

A proposal to establish uniform standards was the basis for extensive public consultations at open meetings held in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador from January to March 2000.

This proposal calls for the introduction of changes in weight and dimension regulations in October of this year. These would apply to new vehicles of model year 2003 and later, while providing a transition period until December 2009 to allow trucking companies and equipment manufacturers to phase-out equipment that does not comply with the proposed new standards.