FREDERICTON, N.B. — Oversized and overweight vehicles and loads are getting their due attention in a continued effort to reduce red tape in the trucking industry.

New Brunswick Transportation Minister Percy Mockler announced the department is seeking input from stakeholders on the harmonization of rules, policies and conditions related to the movement of overweight and oversize vehicles and loads.

The input received will be used by the Task Force on Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Policy to create a memorandum of understanding among the Atlantic Provinces on this matter.

“Our ability to easily and safely transport goods through our province is critical to our economy,” Mockler says. “By breaking down administrative barriers, we can encourage job creation and economic prosperity.”

Currently, each of the four Atlantic Provinces have different requirements for oversize and overweight vehicles or loads. This complicates the transportation of an indivisible oversize and overweight vehicle or load through more than one jurisdiction, and decreases efficiency for the transporter.

Consultation sessions will be held in the following seven locations: Dieppe 9 a.m. Feb. 25 Crystal Palace, 499 Paul St. Scoudouc Room; Miramichi 9 a.m. Feb. 26 Rodd Miramichi River Lodge, 1809 Water St. Sevogle Room; Bathurst 2 p.m. Feb. 26 Atlantic Host Inn, Route 11 at Vanier Boulevard Salon A and B; Campbellton 9 a.m. Feb. 27 Campbellton Memorial Civic Centre, 44 Salmon Boulevard 2nd floor Conference Room; Edmundston 9 a.m. Feb. 28 Hotel Howard Johnson Plaza, 100 Rice St. Assumption 1 and 2 Room; Fredericton 9 a.m. March 1 Fredericton Inn, 1315 Regent St. Bicentennial Room Saint John 2 p.m. March 1 Howard Johnson Hotel, 400 Main St. Parrtown A and B Rooms

No pre-registration is required for the sessions. Submissions may also be e-mailed to consultation@gnb.ca or faxed to 506-453-3701. Simultaneous translation will be provided. If you require sign language interpretation, please call 506-634-8037.