No. H039/02
For release April 08, 2002

$8.8 MILLION IN HIGHWAY
IMPROVEMENT FUNDING FOR YUKON

WHITEHORSE — MP for Yukon Larry Bagnell, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, together with Yukon Infrastructure Minister Scott Kent, today signed an agreement to provide joint funding of $8.8 million over the next five years for highway improvement projects in Yukon.

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

"This investment will make our roads safer and stimulate the economy," said Mr. Bagnell. "Yukoners will definitely benefit and this will also be good for businesses and visitors to the Yukon."

In addition to the agreement, it was announced that $2.2 million of the federal/territorial funding will be used to reconstruct the Alaska Highway near the community of Champagne.

"I am pleased to announce that the Government of Canada is providing an additional $4.4 million in funding for highways in Yukon through this agreement," said Mr. Collenette. "This latest funding agreement between the Government of Canada and the Yukon Territory is another step forward in making real improvements to our highway infrastructure."

"On behalf of the Yukon government, I want to thank the Government of Canada for its support of this project. This shows the commitment of both levels of government to work cooperatively on improving Yukon highways," said Mr. Kent. "This funding will help put Yukoners to work and aid the reconstruction of one of the last remaining sections of the original Alaska Highway."

Transport Canada and the Yukon Territory are reviewing a list of other proposed projects for funding under SHIP for the Yukon Territory. The department will review the benefits of these projects and how they support the objectives of the program and, in partnership with the territory, determine which projects best meet these objectives.

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

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Contact:
Suzanne Quinn
Communications, Ottawa
(613) 993-6896

Bernie Adilman
Yukon Cabinet Communications
Whitehorse, Yukon
(867) 667-8075

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.
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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. The Government of Canada will work 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 Yukon Territory is $4.4 million. Under the previous joint highway funding agreement from 1993-1998, Transport Canada contributed $10 million to the Yukon Territory. This brings the total funding from Transport Canada to $14.4 million.

An environmental assessment that meets the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act will be undertaken before the project begins. The funding for the project is conditional on the results of this environmental assessment. Transport Canada will not fund the project if it is determined that it 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.

April 2002