Atlantic transport ministers renew call for federal highway funds

FREDERICTON (Sept. 11, 2001) — Transport ministers from the four Atlantic provinces pledged to redouble their push for federal highway funding and participation in the development of a national transportation strategy following a two-day meeting in St. John’s last week.

The summit was in advance of the upcoming federal/provincial transportation ministers meeting Sept. 20 in Halifax.

“Canada’s federal government collects about $4 billion a year in revenue from road fuel taxes but reinvests less than 4%,” said Don McKinnon, Transportation and Public Works Minister for Prince Edward Island. “The federal government must look seriously at the infrastructure deficit across the country.”

Atlantic ministers also agreed their provinces must collectively play an active part in shaping the federal government’s National Blueprint on Transportation.

On the provincial front, the ministers agreed to implement uniform regulations governing truck weights and dimensions in mid October. Announced late last year, the new rules harmonize common specs, including tandem and tridem axle trailers.

In addition, the ministers agreed to co-ordinate their efforts to develop a consistent policy on the use of cell phones while driving.

Also attending the meeting was Jane Lincoln, deputy commissioner for the Maine Dept. of Transportation. The group discussed the measures underway to support trade and the movement of goods across the border between Atlantic Canada and the Eastern United States.