No. H008/02
For release January 24, 2002

$40.4 MILLION IN HIGHWAY
IMPROVEMENT FUNDING FOR MANITOBA

WINNIPEG — Veterans Affairs Minister and MP (Winnipeg North-St. Paul) Rey Pagtakhan, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, and Manitoba Minister of Transportation and Government Services Steve Ashton, today signed an agreement to provide joint funding of $40.4 million over the next five years for highway improvement projects in Manitoba.

This agreement is part of the $600 million Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP) announced by Mr. Collenette in April 2001.

"Federal and provincial investment in Manitoba's highways will make our roads safer and stimulate the economy," said Mr. Pagtakhan. "Manitobans will benefit and it will be good for our businesses and visitors as well."

"I am pleased to announce that the Government of Canada is providing $20.2 million in funding for Manitoba highways through SHIP," said Mr. Collenette. "This funding agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba demonstrates a commitment by both levels of government to improve our highway infrastructure."

"Manitoba's transportation infrastructure is vital to our province's social and economic well-being," said Mr. Ashton. "Through SHIP, we are pleased to provide this level of investment in the ongoing effort we share to maintain and improve our highways. We look forward to continued co-operation with the federal government on other important transportation infrastructure initiatives."

 Transport Canada and the Province of Manitoba are reviewing a list of proposed projects for funding under SHIP. The department will examine the benefits of these projects and how they support the program objectives and, in partnership with the province, determine which projects best meet these objectives. Funding for SHIP projects is conditional on the results of required environmental assessments.

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BACKGROUNDER

STRATEGIC HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM - MANITOBA

In the February 2000 Budget Speech, the Government of Canada committed to improve the economy and the quality of life for Canadians by investing up to $600 million over four years in highway infrastructure across Canada. In April 2001, Transport Canada announced the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP). The program has two components: a $500 million highway construction component and a $100 million national system integration component.

Under the program, $500 million, including $15 million for administration costs, will be available to address the needs of Canada’s highways over the next five years. The program formally begins in fiscal year 

2002-2003. However, $30 million is available for projects during the 2001-2002 fiscal year. The Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories to identify those parts of the national highway system that — because of growing traffic and increasing trade — need immediate attention. This will result in a safer and more efficient highway system for all Canadians.

An allocation formula has been developed to distribute the $485 million available to the provinces and territories under SHIP. The formula consists of a minimum of $4 million per jurisdiction plus a share based on population and a 50-50 cost-sharing ratio. Under this formula, the total federal allocation for the Province of Manitoba is $20.2 million. Under previous joint highway funding agreements since 1987, Transport Canada contributed $45 million to Manitoba. This brings the total funding from Transport Canada to $65.2 million.

Environmental assessments that meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act will be undertaken before the projects begin. The funding for the projects is conditional on the results of these environmental assessments. Transport Canada will not fund the projects if it is determined that they could have any significant adverse environmental impacts.

SHIP will also provide $100 million nationally to fund initiatives which better integrate the transportation system. These include the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems across Canada, improvements to border crossings and better transportation planning. Intelligent Transportation Systems include applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management and vehicle safety.

January 2002

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