The following was issued today by Tom G. Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I rise in this house this afternoon to inform honorable members that June 3 - 12 is National Transportation Week. This year�s theme is accessibility and innovation, reflecting the need to provide access for all Canadians to a reliable transportation network while at the same time ensuring that this is done in an innovative manner. This is very much in line with this government�s philosophy on transportation in our province.

The transportation industry is essential in serving as a necessary link both geographically as well as economically for Canadians as well as the people of our province. It is a vital sector in the provincial economy providing support to many other industries and sectors in the transportation of there products, services and people.

The Department of Transportation and Works is responsible for summer and winter maintenance of some 8,990 kilometres of primary and secondary highways, community access roads, as well as maintaining eight aircraft for air ambulance and water bomber services and managing 21 ferries in marine operations.

This week highlights the importance of professionals in our roads, marine and air services divisions in making the lives of Canadians and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians safer and better. Government commends all of them and especially the transportation professionals in our own province.

2004 06 02                                     2:10 p.m.