Minister welcomes Atlantic Transportation Ministers to Lewisporte

Today, Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, welcomed two of his Atlantic counterparts to Lewisporte for meetings of the Atlantic Transportation ministers.

Minister Rideout said: �I am very pleased that two of my counterparts, Paul Robichaud from New Brunswick, and Gail Shea from Prince Edward Island, have been able to join me for meetings in our beautiful province. It is important for ministers throughout the region to share our perspectives on the various issues and prepare for meetings with our counterparts from across the country.�

Key items for the agenda of the meetings include an Atlantic transportation strategy and preparation for the National Council of Transportation Ministers that will take place in Calgary in September.

The western provinces have recently completed a regional transportation strategy, as has the Province of Quebec. The Province of Ontario is also working on such a strategy. As well, following the Council of the Federation meeting in Banff, Alberta, the premiers announced that they would be developing a comprehensive national transportation strategy.

Minister Rideout continued: �It is very timely that we are addressing this now in the Atlantic region and I look forward to further deliberations with my Atlantic counterparts on this and other matters.�

�This meeting will, again, be an excellent opportunity to communicate with my colleagues regarding the transportation challenges that exist within our province. I will again be working to build support for our positions on regional and national transportation issues,� said the minister.

�Our government plans to continue to take this province in a positive direction that will grow the economy and create employment opportunities. Over the coming days and weeks, I will work with my counterparts across the country on the transportation issues that are important to Newfoundland and Labrador to further enable this to happen.

�I look forward to meeting with the National Council of Transportation Ministers in Calgary in September. At that time, I will again discuss issues that are significant to future transportation initiatives in this province.�

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3015, 690-8403

2005 08 25                        11:05 a.m.