LAUTERMILCH TO DISCUSS TRANSPORTATION FUNDING WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The provincial government expects to hear details of new federal funding program for transportation at a meeting of federal and provincial ministers in Vancouver this week.

Highways and Transportation Minister Eldon Lautermilch expects the federal government will announce details of the $591 million Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, intended to boost Canada's trade with Asia.

"The Government of Canada has very clearly indicated that the federal government views this initiative as a pan-western strategy," Lautermilch said. "I am very interested in hearing how the federal government intends to support development of the Asia-Pacific Gateway in Saskatchewan. With exports generate about 75 per cent of our economy, our ability to access Asian markets in an efficient manner is critical to Saskatchewan's prosperity."

The meetings come at a critical time in the development of federal transportation infrastructure programs. Current federal programs that provide funding to Saskatchewan already have or soon will expire.

"I have met with my federal counterpart and there have been numerous discussions between our officials about the next generation of federal funding programs," Lautermilch said. "The federal government has taken a fresh approach to the transportation file that is very much consistent with our own provincial transportation strategy; however, the time has come for detail on how the federal government intends to meet its commitments to developing the Asia-Pacific Corridor and supporting the National Highway System."

Federal funding currently accounts for less than eight per cent of the $370 million the provincial government will invest in Saskatchewan's transportation system this year.

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For More Information, Contact:

Doug Wakabayashi Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4804 Email: dwakabayashi@highways.gov.sk.ca