Released on April 15, 1999
Highways and Transportation Minister Judy Bradley statedSaskatchewan's position on the need for a National Highway Program in
Ottawa yesterday at a meeting of provincial and territorial
transportation representatives including stakeholder groups from
across the country.
"It is time to get the ball rolling on a National Transportation
Investment Strategy that will provide equitable, long-term funding,"
Bradley said. "We need to ensure the federal government includes such
a program in its 2000/2001 budget."
Seven provincial transportation ministers along with representatives
from the road building industry, including the Saskatchewan road
builders, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) and the Canadian
Construction Association (CCA) met with federal Transport Minister
David Collenette and Finance Minister Paul Martin to discuss the
creation and timing of a federal/provincial cost-shared national
highway program.
"The evidence supporting a National Highway Program is overwhelming,
the longer we wait, the faster the rate of deterioration, and the
higher the cost we will pay in the end," Bradley said. "A national
program will greatly reduce the amount of time needed to finish
twinning Highway No. 1 from border to border and Highway No. 16
between North Battleford and Lloydminster."
During the meeting both ministers Collenette and Martin said a
national highway program is possible if it is a priority for the
provinces and the business community is supportive of the
program.
Bradley said the Province of Saskatchewan is anxious to work with
stakeholder groups like the Saskatchewan road builders and CCA to
ensure that a federal, cost-shared National Highway Program is
implemented as soon as possible.
The latest study shows that over $17 billion is required to bring
our national highways up to the standard needed to become the
backbone of Canada's transportation system. Studies also show an
upgraded system will bring many benefits to Canadians, including
reduced accidents, job creation and other benefits exceeding
$30 billion.
"What we are proposing is not simply fresh pavement, but an
improvement in our competitiveness and productivity, economic
development, safety and quality of life," Bradley said. "I am
pleased both Ministers Collenette and Martin expressed the view
that the objectives of this group largely matched their own and
they are open to continued meaningful dialogue."
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For more information contact:
Mike Woods, Director Gordon Braun, Director
Communications Intergovernmental Issues
Highways and Transportation Highways and Transportation
Regina Regina
306 787-4804 306 787-1534