CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Hon. Pat Binns, Prince Edward Island Premier, was the keynote speaker at the Oct. 29 awards luncheon at the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association’s 54th annual convention. He spoke about transportation on the Island.

“The transportation industry is critical to all regions but especially to this province simply because we are challenged since we are an island,” said Binns.

Binns identified energy, people and transportation as three key elements that make the economy work.

“If the transportation community is doing well then chances are the economy is doing well too,” he said.

P.E.I. moved forward with the Confederation Bridge construction opening in 1997, which enables people to move and the economy to expand. But more truck and car traffic are an indication that further investments in infrastructure are necessary, Binns said. P.E.I. re-invests fuel taxes into road and infrastructure and Binns said the province needs to pressure the federal government to do the same.

“As the people who makes goods and services move, I want to work with you and pass along your concerns and keep working on issues like harmonization of regulations and driver training programs across P.E.I. and the entire Atlantic region,” said Binns.