SAINT JOHN — Atlantic MP Paul Zed is proposing that the government combine various transportation departments into one authoritative body. And the local trucking association thinks it’s a great idea.

The Saint John politician would like to consolidate the leadership and beurocracy of departments like the port, the airport, the Saint John Harbour Bridge, and the Saint John Transit Commission in order to take advantage of their “natural synergies.”

In local editorial, Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association director Peter Nelson wrote that the idea should be spread throughout all the Atlantic provinces. “The Atlantic region suffers under the weight of silos in transportation wherein there is a lack of collaboration between road, rail, marine and air transport,” he said.

“As the voice of road transport in Atlantic Canada we trumpet harmonization amongst the provinces in areas of transportation policy. Mr. Zed’s initiative recognizes this and we applaud his stand. We can only hope that other air and sea ports and proposed inland ports see the benefits in a more unified and collaborative approach to transportation in Atlantic Canada.”

Until government and industry address the rising costs and bureaucracy around ground, air and sea transportation, “we will not be a competitive option for existing and new shipping business,” he continued.

He said regional initiatives such as Gateway, Atlantica and Self Sufficiency need to address barriers to the flow of goods and a lack of co-ordination between air and seaports, road and rail transport before any of these projects can be launched.

“More of this type of positive thought is needed to maintain Atlantic Canada’s position as a player and option in global shipping.”