Minister comments on situation with truckers

Finance Minister Lloyd Matthews said today government has held lengthy and productive discussions with representatives of the independent trucking industry, but have been unable to reach an agreement which would see the trucks move off the road.

"We met for many hours yesterday and at the end of that period we felt we had a cooperative approach to meet some of their needs," noted the minister. "We offered to immediately commence a study into the differential cost of diesel fuel among carriers, and to have a preliminary report back within 10-14 days. As well, we offered start-up funds to help the independent truckers organize themselves into an association to pursue their goals."

"We felt that we had achieved more toward the mutual concerns of truckers last night, than any other group of independent truckers had achieved thus far in Atlantic Canada," said Minister Matthews. "Unfortunately, the larger group of truckers did not agree with the consensus reached by their representatives."

Truckers remained on the roads today and reports of impeded goods and traffic are still being received.

"While this is an industry issue that cannot be fixed by government, I still call on truckers to remove their vehicles from the roads and allow the free flow of goods and traffic," said Minister Matthews. "Anyone needing assistance to move their products or vehicles should ask the RCMP for assistance, which they will be only too willing to provide. Anyone not availing of their assistance, and therefore not moving goods is, in essence, agreeing with the truckers stance."

Minister Matthews pointed out that government has done all it can to assist the truckers as this is a 100 per cent market driven price increase. Provincial gasoline tax has not changed since 1994, when the cost of diesel actually decreased by 1.1 cents. Truckers, as businesspeople, receive all the HST they pay on fuel, equipment, parts and servicing back under the HST input tax credit system.

The minister said he is looking to the truckers to act in the best interests of the residents and businesses of Newfoundland and Labrador, and to end their protest.

Media contact: Paula Dyke, Communications, (709) 729-0329.

2000 02 25                                                 4:50 p.m.