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October 10, 2000
(Works, Services and Transportation)


Minister brings province�s transportation concerns to national table

On October 5, Rick Woodford, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, met with his federal, provincial and territorial colleagues to outline a number of significant issues impacting Newfoundland and Labrador�s transportation system.

Foremost among the issues raised by the minister is the impact airline restructuring is having on provincial airports in terms of pricing, capacity, frequency of service and the viability of smaller airports.

Regarding the proposed CAR308 regulation on emergency response services, Minister Woodford said: "If the federal government is going to require small non-national airports to provide emergency response services, then they must provide the capital and ongoing maintenance funding as well." Local airport authorities negotiated the transfer of responsibilities on the basis of not providing these services and to now require their inclusion will impact the viability of these airports.

Minister Woodford and his colleagues impressed upon federal Transport Minister David Collenette the urgent need for a Canada wide transportation strategy which embodies the principles of flexibility for provinces to designate priorities, the inclusion of Phase III of the Trans Labrador Highway as part of the National Highway System, and recognition of the transportation needs of northern and remote parts of the country.

Minister Woodford stressed that in order for Newfoundland and Labrador to be competitive, significant expenditures on highway upgrades are necessary. The current level of federal funding is wholly inadequate.

Minister Collenette gave positive indications that the federal government recognizes the inadequacy of the current program to meet identified needs and that more money is likely to be announced in the near term.

Minister Woodford also met with the Canadian Transportation Act Review Panel (CTARP) to express his concerns on both the airline restructuring and the Canada wide transportation strategy. He asked the panel to be diligent in its review of the current legislation regarding predatory pricing, service characteristics and other problems associated with monopolies. He outlined the province�s concerns with other modes of transport and his desire to meet with the panel for further discussions when they visit St. John�s for public hearings on transportation services in January 2001.

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-3015.

2000 10 10 2:55 p.m.


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