NEWS RELEASE

Ref: 830-614/16

Meeting of the Council of Ministers responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety
Edmonton, Alberta - May 29, 1998

ANNOTATED AGENDA

Discussion by the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety at a May 29, 1998 meeting in Edmonton, AB on a number of transportation issues of national significance.

National Highway Policy

Tabling to Ministers of a status report on work being done to update information on the state, condition and investment needs of the National Highway System identified in 1988; - and review of a draft report from the intergovernmental steering committee carrying out this work, with completion of the final report expected by the end of June.

Review by Ministers of the possibility of establishing a broad national transportation investment strategy with a strong emphasis on a National Highway Program. The provinces have a strong need for a National Highway Program (including Strategic Economic Highways) as has been demonstrated through the National Highway Study. There was a general discussion of the need for a Federal-Provincial/Territorial partnership to address the long-term chronic underfunding of the national highways component and the development of an infrastructure which can support commerce and trade.

National Safety Code's Implementation Report

Tabling to Ministers of a report on the status of implementation of the National Safety Code (NSC) in each province and territory in Canada. The NSC is a comprehensive code of minimum preference standards for the safe operation of commercial vehicles. Review by Ministers of the concern expressed by the trucking industry and some jurisdictions with the lack of consistency and implementation of the NSC.

Vehicle Weights and Dimensions

Tabling to Ministers of a status report from the Task Force on Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Policy on work which is being undertaken to improve the compatibility of provincial and territorial regulations. The report includes a number of recommendations for changes to the national standards for heavy vehicle weights and dimensions which have been developed in consultation with stakeholders over the past year. Direction provided by Ministers to the Task Force on the proposals and issues where national consensus has not been achieved.

Motor Vehicle Transport Act

Review, by federal Minister of Transport, of reactions received to proposals for amendments to Motor Vehicle Transport Act (MVTA Review Position Paper, March 1998). Jurisdictions were invited to comment on their respective positions.

Transportation and Climate Change

Discussion by Ministers on the process for developing the transportation component of a national climate change strategy. This will include reviewing the progress of the transportation table at meetings of the Council of Ministers of Transport, working with Energy and Environment colleagues on transportation and climate change issues and reviewing the strategy developed by the transportation table for the national process.

Western Provinces Views on Grain Transportation

Recurring grain transportation performance problems, particularly those experienced in1996/97, resulted in widespread calls for review and change of Canada's grain transportation and handling system to avoid income losses for western producers and further damage to Canada's reliability as a supplier to world markets. The federal government responded to these calls and has established a process, headed by former Supreme Court Justice Willard Z. Estey, Q.C., to review the system and make recommendations of possible improvements.

Rail Line Abandonment in Saskatchewan

Discussion by Ministers on Saskatchewan's concerns about the impact of branch line abandonment and elevator consolidation on its road network and mechanisms to address these concerns.

NAFTA - Land Transport Standards Subcommittee and Transportation Consultative Group

Status update, by the federal Minister of Transport, on upcoming NAFTA land transportation discussions on compatibility of technical standards and related border facilitation issues governing commercial vehicles and drivers.

Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat (CICS)

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