Transportation and Works
Service NL
January 29, 2016

Strengthening the Province’s Transportation System

Ministers Highlight Transportation Infrastructure and Safety at National Meeting

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works, met with federal, provincial and territorial counterparts yesterday in Ottawa during meetings of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety.

“This meeting has been an excellent opportunity to discuss with federal minister Marc Garneau, as well as provincial ministers, the issues that are important to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and our priorities for funding for both immediate needs and needs in the longer term. We are pleased that the Federal Government is expediting funding as we remain focused this year on earlier tendering and shovel-ready, shovel-worthy projects. We will continue to build a strong partnership with our federal colleagues to move these priorities forward.”
- The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works

The meeting of the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety builds on Minister Hawkins recent meeting with the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Atlantic Ministers of Transportation and Infrastructure; as well as discussions between senior officials of the provincial and federal governments.

During the meeting, the Council of Ministers also launched Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2025 – Towards Zero: The Safest Roads in the World.

“The safety of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is a foremost priority for our government, and we are pleased to begin integrating this valuable new strategy into our approach to promoting safer roads. The Provincial Government will start by reviewing existing legislation and regulations associated with road safety to determine where improvements can be made to achieve the objectives outlined in Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2025 – Towards Zero: The Safest Roads in the World.”
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL

The safety of residents and employees is a cornerstone of all work undertaken as government moves forward on key transportation priorities for provincial roads, the Trans-Labrador Highway and marine services.

QUICK FACTS

• The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works, met with federal, provincial and territorial counterparts yesterday in Ottawa during meetings of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety.
• Ministers discussed priorities for funding now and in the longer term. The Provincial Government is pleased the Federal Government is expediting funding that will assist with earlier tendering, and shovel-ready, shovel-worthy projects.
• The Council of Ministers also launched Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2025 – Towards Zero: The Safest Roads in the World. The strategy outlines a 10-year timeline to address important road safety issues in Canada.

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2016 01 29                              9:35 a.m.