WINNIPEG, Man. — The Governments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on that focuses on harmonization of regulations and cooperation on transportation issues, in an effort to reduce barriers in interprovincial transportation for commercial vehicle operations.

Officials say the purpose of the MOU, signed Feb. 11, is to increase efficiency and cooperation with respect to commercial transport within and between the two provinces. The agreement aims at reducing barriers in several key areas, including harmonization of several special permit conditions such as for turnpike doubles, oversize and overweight loads and maximum gross vehicle weight for certain transport truck configurations.

“We are delighted to see that there are some important measures that are addressed in this MOU,” says MTA executive director, Bob Dolyniuk. “We see this agreement as a good step towards further interprovincial harmonization that will have a positive impact on our members and on our industry. Harmonization will create further productivity and efficiency gains for the trucking industry in Manitoba.”

The MOU, signed by the Honourable Steve Ashton, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation for Manitoba, and the Honourable Jim Reiter, Minister of Highways and Infrastructure for Saskatchewan, was struck during a joint Manitoba-Saskatchewan meeting of Cabinet last week. The agreement follows a June meeting between the two ministers where they consulted with transportation stakeholders and agreed to work towards regulation harmonization to increase regional competitiveness and efficiency.

“The provinces hope that in taking these steps toward harmonization, it will not only provide a friendlier business climate for the transportation industry within and between these two provinces, but will also enhance highway safety while protecting highway infrastructure,” officials said in a release.