By Kevin Martel

Western premiers ask Ottawa for over $1 billion in transportation funding

Nov 7, 2014 | 5:58 AM

The premiers of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan are asking the federal government for between $1 billion and $1.5 billion to help address transportation infrastructure in the region.
 
The premiers met in Regina this week as part of the New West Partnership (NWP). At the conclusion of the meeting, the premiers highlighted how they want to focus on trade specifically with Asia. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall pointed out that between 2010 and 2025 the population of that continent is expected to grow by 550-million people.
 
“We see that’s where the growth is and that’s where we need to be as well,” Wall said.
 
But in order to get oil, natural gas, potash and lumber over there, funding from Ottawa is needed to improve things like highways, ports and the rail system so that these goods can flow more freely to key markets.
 
“We know they want it. Their complaint is often we don’t have a way to get it to them fast enough and that’s what we’re trying to resolve today,” explained B.C. Premier Christy Clark. “The only way that the western provinces can fulfill our capacity to grow Canada is if we have the infrastructure in place to ensure we can get our goods to those growing markets.”
 
“Our three provinces working together are essentially a powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific basin,” added Alberta Premier Jim Prentice.
 
In Saskatchewan, the focus would be on twinning major highways and building perimeter roads. Wall hoped the federal government would see investing in those roads as part of a broader plan, in terms of moving oil and grain in this proposal.
 
Enhancements in B.C. would include greater port access and capacity, including road and rail improvements in both the north and south part of that province. Over in Alberta, major highways would need widening and other major arteries would need twinning, along with improvements to bridges.
 
The NWP will enlist the help of the Pacific Gateway Alliance to develop and lead a lot of the work, and will report back to the premiers in six months.

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