MINISTERS RELEASE WESTERN TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY

The Ministers responsible for transportation in the four western provinces today released a broad strategy to address transportation infrastructure issues in western Canada.

The strategy addresses all four modes of transportation – air, road, rail and marine – and identifies the priorities and actions necessary to ensure that transportation is integrated, efficient and modernized. The total cost of the projects identified is more than $14 billion over the next 20 years, with more than $10 billion of that total associated with highway infrastructure. With a more reasonable level of federal government investment, the strategy could be achievable within the next decade.

"Transportation is the primary enabler of economic development and our major industries are dependent on an efficient, multi-modal transportation system," said Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation for Alberta and Chair of the Western Transportation Ministers Council. "This strategy provides a blueprint for collectively addressing the infrastructure challenges we face."

"Because the economies of the four western provinces, and Canada as a whole, are so heavily dependent on exports, a regional approach to addressing these issues is needed," said Maynard Sonntag, Minister of Highways and Transportation for Saskatchewan. "As an example, the products produced in Saskatchewan will typically pass through more than one jurisdiction on two or three modes of transportation en route to their final destinations."

In addition to identifying specific needs within the transportation system, the strategy also encourages industry, other levels of government and key stakeholders to help work towards solutions. The Council and the western and territorial premiers agreed to incorporate the transportation strategies of the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut into the development of a broader single, unified transportation strategy for western and northern Canada.

"In addition to the infrastructure deficit, changing trade patterns such as the dramatic increase in container traffic to and from the far east and increased exports to the United States and Mexico are creating additional pressures," said Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation for British Columbia. "These demands exceed the capacity of one jurisdiction, or the private sector to address alone."

"With galvanized support amongst the provinces, this strategy establishes a platform for us to raise western transportation priorities to the national stage," said Ron Lemieux, Manitoba Minister of Transportation and Government Services. "Our next step will be to engage our federal government and private sector partners to work toward the benefit of our communities, industries and citizens."

The provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba formed the Western Transportation Ministers Council to improve coordination of responses to transportation issues. The Council takes a leadership role in articulating the infrastructure and policy needs for an efficient, integrated, safe and equitable western Canadian transportation system.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jamie Shanks Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306)787-4805	Harlan Mushumanski Manitoba Transportation and Government Services Winnipeg Phone: (204)945-0787
Sue Gee Ministry of Transportation Victoria Phone: (250)387-7787	Bart Johnson Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation Edmonton Phone: (780)415-1841