Two days of meetings wrapped up today with the four Atlantic provinces agreeing to pursue common transportation interests in upcoming discussions with the federal government and other provinces and territories.
In attendance were Prince Edward Island Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea, New Brunswick Transportation Minister Paul Robichaud, New Brunswick Public Safety Minister Wayne Steeves; Nova Scotia Transportation and Public Works Minister Ronald Russell, and Newfoundland and Labrador Transportation and Works Minister Tom Rideout. This meeting was held in preparation for the upcoming national meeting of the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety later this month in Quebec City.
The four Atlantic Provinces share many common transportation challenges and goals. The vital role transportation plays in the economic development of the region represented a common theme throughout the meetings.
“The meeting was extremely productive,” said Prince Edward Island Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea, chair of this year’s meeting. “The most significant outcome was that we as Atlantic Ministers will bring a clear, common message to the Quebec meeting of the immediate need to expand the National Highway System.”
There was unanimous support for the addition of the following routes to the National Highway System:
- PEI: Routes 2 and 1A
- NS: Routes 103, 105, and 107
- NB: Routes 11, 17 and 8
- NL: Routes 2, 3, 430, 500, and 510
Other issues receiving unanimous support included:
-The increased concern for the viability of small airports, and the need for Transport Canada to take a lead role in developing and implementing solutions to ensure their future;
-The role transportation plays in the economic development of the Atlantic region, and the need to ensure it remains ingrained in the Canada Transportation Act;
-The need for ensuring efficiency for the movement of people and goods at border crossings, primarily Woodstock/Houlton and St. Stephen/Calais, while providing adequate security;
-The vital role ferries play in the Atlantic region, and the need to ensure the continued support for their operation.
A broad range of other issues were discussed. The meeting concluded with a high degree of consensus on a range of important transportation issues facing the Atlantic provinces.