DIEPPE, N.B. The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) has applauded the Dec. 23 decision by Transportation Minister Paul Robichaud and Public Safety Minister Wayne Steeves which has granted an extra two years for implementing an agreement on uniform commercial vehicle weight limits within Atlantic Canada.

New Brunswick’s Department of Transportation had previously announced it would be eliminating weight tolerance as of Jan. 1. The removal of weight tolerance was part of the 2001 Memorandum of Agreement signed by the Atlantic Provinces to establish harmonized commercial vehicle weights and to create a level playing field for all carriers within Atlantic Canada. The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador removed weight tolerance last year.

In an official statement from the Province of Nova Scotia on Dec. 21, it was announced that “the removal of automatically applied weight tolerance, originally scheduled for Jan. 1, has been delayed until January 1, 2007. The 500 kg per axle weight tolerance will continue to be provided by until Dec. 31. Other scheduled changes to the regulations, directly associated with the removal of automatically applied weight tolerance, will also be delayed until January 1,2007.”

The APTA strongly urged New Brunswick’s Department of Transportation to delay their implementation date until all Atlantic Provinces were ready for implementation.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of the negotiations with the Department of Transportation and we wish to commend the carriers in New Brunswick who spoke out strongly against the January 1st, 2006 implementation date,” said APTA chairman, Vaughn Sturgeon.

The Province of Prince Edward Island has not yet made an official announcement regarding their decision on an implementation date for removal of tolerance.

“The APTA has spoken with government officials in Prince Edward Island, and although a decision has not been announced, we are hopeful they will make the proper decision and follow New Brunswick’s lead in this matter,” Sturgeon said.