Common Front on Transportation Issues

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Common Front on Transportation Issues

Atlantic transportation ministers have renewed their call to play a more significant role in developing transportation policy with the federal government.

At their annual meeting in Halifax today, Sept. 4, the ministers agreed that regional input is critical on issues such as the national transportation policy, the need for a long-term highway funding program, the viability of smaller airports, transborder air service, timely and affordable access to flights in Atlantic Canada, and matters involving strategic transportation infrastructure.

"We need to change the way we do business," said Ron Russell, Nova Scotia's Minister of Transportation and Public Works and chair of this year's meeting.

"The economic future of this region depends on the quality of our basic infrastructure," he said. "Atlantic Canadians have a right to expect that governments at all levels are working hand-in-hand on issues that affect local jobs, tourism and our trade competitiveness. The issues we discussed today certainly fit those criteria."

Gail Shea, P.E.I.'s Minister of Transportation and Public Works, added that long-term, guaranteed federal support and funding for highway improvements are essential if the arterial highway network is to be maintained to satisfactory levels.

"You only have to look at the American approach, where the federal government committed to a $217-billion highway- improvement program to renew its transportation systems," she said. "That was over and above what the states were providing over a six-year period."

"There are a lot of challenges to be met, but there is reason to be optimistic," she said. "Ottawa has more funding available now than ever before."

The Atlantic ministers say the federal government must return a larger share of the fuel tax it collects in the region. It should also adopt a long-term national program for highway funding, similar to the U.S. approach, instead of negotiating short-term programs.

The federal government collects $4 billion a year in fuel tax from motorists, but reinvests only a small percentage in highway improvements and only for highways that are part of the National Highway System.

"The funding should not be as restrictive as it is," said Percy Barrett, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, Newfoundland and Labrador. "We're very concerned about regional trunk roads and the limitations of the definition of a national highway."

The Atlantic ministers maintain that the federal government's neglect has contributed to the obvious decline in the condition of roads throughout Canada. They acknowledge, however, that the recent Canada-New Brunswick funding announcement to complete the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway in New Brunswick is a positive sign that will benefit the entire region.

"New Brunswick is the transportation gateway for Atlantic Canada to the United States and the rest of Canada," said Margaret-Ann Blaney, New Brunswick's Public Safety Minister, on behalf of Percy Mockler, Minister of Transportation. "The completion of the Trans-Canada Highway is key to the region's continued economic growth. As a result, Atlantic Canada will be connected to the rest of North America by a safe and efficient four-lane corridor within five years."

The Atlantic provinces continue to make progress on changes that will cut red tape and help commercial truck traffic flow more smoothly throughout the region.

Ms. Blaney said further work will be done to harmonize the rules, policies and conditions governing the movement of overweight/oversized loads and vehicles, use of technology to simplify permitting and registration, electronic clearance at weigh scales and online access to regulatory information.

"Our goal is to ensure that goods and services move through our region as efficiently as possible," she said.

Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Government Services and Lands, Walter Noel, briefed his counterparts on his province's approach to the issue of cellular phones in cars.

Mr. Noel said his government introduced an amendment last spring that would ban the use of handheld cell phones by drivers, unless their vehicles are stopped. Newfoundland and Labrador would be the only province in Canada to pass such a law, if it is approved by the legislature this fall.

"I know there are differing views on this across Canada, but our initiative has broad public support in our province. We feel confident in moving forward," he said.

The ministers also called on the federal government to address issues such as improving air service by expanding the use of pre- clearance of air travellers, working to expand transborder air service, ensuring timely, affordable air service throughout Atlantic Canada and consideration of other strategic transportation infrastructure.

The meeting of Atlantic transportation ministers is a prelude to a conference with their federal counterpart, David Collenette, which will be held in Winnipeg on Sept. 20.