BANFF, Alta. (Aug. 12, 2005) — Canada’s provincial premiers are vowing they will develop a national plan to deal with the country’s collapsing transportation infrastructure.

The 13 premiers and territorial leaders, who are meeting in Banff, Alta. this week to discuss transportation, energy and post-secondary education, made the statement in a communiqué, Canadian Press reports. It said that the premiers are concerned Canada’s crumbling highway network and congested land and sea ports will make it difficult for the country to compete in the global economy.

The premiers also acknowledged that Canada is the only member of the G8 without a national transportation blueprint — a reality the Canadian Trucking Alliance has been reminding government officials at all levels for years.

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, Nova Scotia’s John Hamm and Joseph Handley of the Northwest Territories are in charge of developing the strategy, according to CP.

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, who is chairing the summit, said the long-term strategy would depend on Ottawa, in part through reinvestment of federal fuel taxes — although he could not explain to local media exactly what that would entail.

New highway legislation signed in the US this week provides $280 billion in federal support for transportation initiatives over the next six years.

— from Canadian Press