News Release

HALIFAX (GNB) – Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Roger Melanson was in Halifax on Jan. 19 and 20 to meet with his Atlantic counterparts. The meeting’s discussions centered on the review of the Canada Transportation Act, asset management best practices, and the New Building Canada Plan.

“The meeting was a wonderful opportunity to share ideas, information, and best practices with my Atlantic colleagues as we enter a new era of transportation and infrastructure management in New Brunswick,” said Melanson. “As our government starts allocating funding under the Strategic Infrastructure Initiative and fully implementing asset management practices in the province, enhanced collaboration with our Atlantic colleagues will help us move New Brunswick forward.”

As part of the meetings, all four Atlantic ministers responsible for transportation agreed on a joint submission to the federal government’s review of the Canada Transportation Act. In their submission, the ministers collectively identified areas of focus as being: sustaining aging infrastructure, supply-chain efficiency, airport and air industry competitiveness, freight and passenger rail service, and marine ferry sustainability.

The meetings were also an opportunity for the provincial government to present its asset management framework, and for all the representatives to share and discuss best practices for the preservation and upkeep of capital infrastructure.

The ministers also discussed the successes and challenges of various infrastructure projects being undertaken with joint funding from the federal government under the New Building Canada Plan.

“Our government recognizes that investments in infrastructure are a great way to boost the economy, both in the short-term through immediate job creation, and in the long-term through the building of strategic infrastructure to support economic development,” Melanson said. “With enhanced collaboration from all of our Atlantic partners, we can certainly spur job creation and economic growth throughout the Atlantic region.”