Press Release

Improving the Roads Local M.P. Roy Cullen will be taking part in a ground-breaking forum designed to find new solutions to the problems of Canada's aging highway system. "There are two really significant things happening here. Firstly, we will be looking for ways to improve the roads for Canadian drivers. Secondly, we are breaking new ground in the way government goes about doing its business. This may have tremendous implications for all areas of government," says Cullen. A diverse group of interests will be meeting for a roundtable discussion in Ottawa on Wednesday (January 22). Participants will include the multi-party members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, bankers, truckers, a tourism association, the CAA and many others. Mr Cullen is an active member of the Transport Committee. The focus of the roundtable discussion will be the Transport Committee's discussion paper on "the renewal of the national highway system." "No one who has done any amount of driving will deny that our roads are due for some major upkeep. Our roads are too important for trade and tourism to leave them in a state of disrepair. The question is: what is the best way to finance these necessary repairs?," says Cullen. When appearing before the Transportation committee last year Minister of Finance Paul Martin said, "What is clear is that the old ways of doing things no longer work. The old style of tax and spend solutions of the past simply do not apply. The future lies in innovative approaches (like public/private partnership.) The only thing that limits us in this is our imagination.... I think this Committee is in the process really, may well be in the process of breaking substantial new ground..." By bringing together many groups with vested interest in seeing Canadian highways upgraded, it is hoped that new ways of financing the repairs will be worked out. "In this era of deficit reduction government alone can not pay for new roads. But I, and others, believe that through public/private partnerships new solutions can and will be found. I am very optimistic that great things will come of this meeting where all stakeholders will be present." said Cullen. Mr. Cullen's personal role in this initiative has been recognized by Transport Committee Chair Mr. Reg Alcock, M.P. "Roy's background in the private sector and as an Assistant Deputy Minister has been extremely important to the committee. In discovering the points where public and private interests meet and where partnerships can be formed, Roy's input has been invaluable." For more information contact: Roy Cullen, M.P. 416-747-6003 BACKGROUNDER TO TRANSPORT COMMITTEE'S DISCUSSION PAPER Canada's highway system is crucial to the Canadian economy In Canada, Tourism is a "rubber-tire" industry: In 1994, Canadians made 76.4 million overnight trips, 93% of them by road. Americans made 13 million overnight trips to Canada, 72% by road. The project outlined in the discussion paper has enormous job creation potential. The 1992 National Highway Policy Study estimated that such a program could lead to the creation of 146,000 to 205, 000 person-years of work during a 10-year program. Also, it is estimated that 220,000 long-term jobs would be created in areas such as tourism and manufacturing. A National Highway Program would save lives, and reduce injuries. An NHP designed along the lines referred to in the Committee's discussion paper would result in a 4% reduction in traffic fatalities, and a reduction in personal injury accidents of 2,300 annually. The estimated cost to the economy from road collisions is $20 billion. The cost of inaction is staggering. After 12 years, the cost of repairing the highway system can rise to $80,000 per lane/kilometre. If this work is not done in time, the cost can then skyrocket to $250,000 per lane/kilometre. The average age of our highways is now 14 years. Participants in the Roundtable on the Discussion Paper entitled "The Renewal of the National Highway System"; Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters of Canada Auditor General of Canada Canadian Automobile Association Canadian Bankers' Association Canadian Construction Association Canadian council for Public/Private Partnerships Canadian Highways International Corporation Canadian Trucking Association Coalition to Renew Canada's Infrastructure Groupe S.M. Finance Parliamentary secretary Hambros Canada Inc. Newcourt Credit Group Tourism Industry Association of Canada Transportation Association of Canada