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National Highway Program...
Prime Minister Stephen Harper promises a National Highway Program
Mr. Harper made the announcement at the Road Builders Association of New Brunswick at the specific invitation of TRIP Canada. Click here for a copy of Mr. Harper’s announcement on January 11. Of course, the challenge is now to ensure that Mr. Harper acts on this promise. Take a moment to email the Prime Minister, and urge him to introduce a stand-alone National Highway Program. You can email the Prime Minister at pm@pm.gc.ca. TRIP Canada has long called for the federal government to invest in a National Highway Program. The National Highway System has been designated by Canadian Ministers of Transport to incorporate some 27,000 kms of Canada’s primary highways. Once designated, these highways are eligible to receive federal funding. Click here to view a map and description of the National Highway System. In 1998, the Canadian Council of Transport Ministers commissioned a study into the state of Canada’s highways. Their report illustrated the state of disrepair that faced our National Highway System. Click here to view the report.
Aside from competing with the United States, why is investing in our National Highway System so important? Click here to download TRIP Canada’s “Talking Points” page on the benefits of highway investment. TRIP Canada is currently partnering with selected research organizations, including the National Research Council of Canada, to conduct a study into the environmental impact of additional highway capacity. TRIP Canada will release that report once available. © 2005 Canadian Construction Association |
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On 11 January 2006, Conservative leader Stephen Harper promised that if elected, he would introduce a stand-alone, permanent funding program for Canada’s National Highway System and border crossings. This program would invest $2 billion over 5 years, and remain a permanent program. In addition, the program would be in addition to existing federal infrastructure programs.
Today, Canada is the only G-7 country without a long-term funding plan for its highways. In early 2005, the American Congress passed a budget appropriations bill that will invest over $284 billion US in the American highway network over the next 6 years. (