Atlantic Ministers of Transportation Call for Long-Term Infrastructure Funding to Bolster Trade, Economy

NOTE: The following is issued in partnership with the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Government of New Brunswick, and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

HALIFAX - At a meeting of the Atlantic Canadian Ministers Responsible for Transportation, Ministers are urging the Government of Canada to establish a new, long-term infrastructure funding program to support critical transportation networks that drive interprovincial and international trade and economic prosperity.

With the conclusion of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and the New Building Canada Fund, provinces face a significant funding shortfall for roads, highways, and bridges. A replacement funding program is urgently needed to support ambitious nation-building projects and grow interprovincial and international trade.

Climate change, rising road usage, and aging infrastructure are straining transportation systems across the region. Freeze-thaw cycles, flooding, and erosion are increasingly common, leading to costly repairs and disruptions to supply chains. One example that impacts the region is the Chignecto Isthmus Resiliency Project, which is a critical trade corridor for Atlantic Canada and the Nation.

Marine transportation also supports the movement of people and goods essential to Atlantic Canadians and the economy. However, ferries are aging and require extensive repairs or replacement. Additional capacity is required for interprovincial ferry services owned by the Government of Canada and Ministers were encouraged by a recent Request for Proposals by Marine Atlantic for an additional vessel.

Atlantic Canada plays a vital role in connecting Canadian exports to global markets, with goods primarily transported by the region’s highway system to major ports or rail lines. In 2024, Atlantic Canada’s total exports reached $40.3 billion, an increase from the previous year.

While recent federal investments in housing, water, waste management, and transit, and lower Marine Atlantic ferry fares and tolls on the Confederation Bridge, are appreciated, they do not address the pressing need for transportation infrastructure renewal.

Quotes:

“The issue of building and maintaining pieces of transportation infrastructure will always be a significant challenge for provincial governments to tackle on their own. This is why New Brunswick, along with its Atlantic Canadian counterparts, are looking to the Government of Canada to support a revitalization initiative for its regional transportation network. There is a need for federal, long-term provincially allocated funding to address the ongoing rehabilitation of our existing and aging transportation infrastructure. This includes but is not limited to our roads, bridges, and ferries.”
— Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Chuck Chiasson, New Brunswick

“It is critical for our province and for all of Canada that we keep our transportation infrastructure in good condition for the people and businesses that count on it. If we are going to make the most of our economic potential, we need to have a safe and efficient network that delivers our products to new markets creating new opportunities for future prosperity.”
— Public Works Minister Fred Tilley, Nova Scotia

“Our provincial transportation network is the lifeline of our economy – connecting communities, enabling trade, and supporting growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is important we establish a new, long-term infrastructure funding program that reflects the scale and urgency of our needs. Strategic investments aren’t simply about fixing bridges and roads, but rather ensuring we remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”
— Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Elvis Loveless, Newfoundland and Labrador

“The Government of Canada has been a strong partner, funding key infrastructure such as highways, roads and bridges. A new funding partnership with the federal government would mean we can continue to provide the safe and reliable transportation corridors that we all depend on. These systems are vital to trade, not only in the Atlantic region, but for the country.”
— Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Ernie Hudson, Prince Edward Island