Province Seeking Input from Trucking Industry

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Province Seeking Input from Trucking Industry

The province is looking for feedback on recommendations to improve efficiency and safety in the trucking industry.

Two documents, released today, April 25, outline proposed changes to policies and procedures that deal with transporting oversized loads within the Atlantic region. Nova Scotia is working with New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland to harmonize the policies and procedures in the Atlantic region.

"The result will be more efficient transportation of goods in the Atlantic provinces," said Michael Baker, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "And that means increased economic prosperity for Nova Scotia and for Atlantic Canada."

The first paper, Atlantic Regional Special Permits -- Proposed Conditions for Movement of Overdimensional Indivisible Vehicles and Loads, makes recommendations for setting up special permits to transport oversized loads in Atlantic Canada.

The second discussion paper, Training and Certification Programs for Pilot Vehicle Drivers in Atlantic Canada -- Background and Options, looks at developing training programs for drivers of vehicles transporting oversized loads on public highways.

Consultation meetings were held last winter with members of the trucking industry to get input and feedback on the necessary changes. The discussion papers are the result of those meetings. The papers have now been sent to stakeholders for comments. Links to the documents and information on submissions is on the Department of Transportation and Public Works' Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/tran/Trucking/vehiclewghtsdims.stm . The deadline for submissions is June 9.

The need to harmonize policies within the trucking industry in Atlantic Canada was identified by the Council of Atlantic Premiers in 2001 in its report Working Together for Atlantic Canada 2001-2003 -- Action Plan for Regional Co-operation.