HALIFAX, N.S. — Transport Minister David Collenette has announced $17.8 million to assist provinces and territories in implementing the National Safety Code (NSC) for motor carriers.

The Minister made the announcement yesterday in Halifax during a meeting of the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety.

The NSC is a comprehensive code of minimum performance standards for the safe operation of commercial vehicles. Developed in 1987 and administered and enforced by the provinces and territories, the NSC encourages trucking safety, promotes efficiency in the motor carrier industry, and harmonizes safety standards. The standards include Hours-of-Service, load securement, vehicle maintenance and safety ratings.

“The National Safety Code is an excellent example of federal, provincial and territorial cooperation to enhance the safety of the travelling public and the competitiveness of the motor carrier industry in North America,” says Collenette.

“The Memorandum of Understanding on the National Safety Code endorsed by the Council of Ministers today reaffirms our commitment to achieving greater national harmony in regulations affecting the motor carrier industry in Canada.”

Transport Canada has also contributed $51 million to the provinces and territories to support the NSC. The latest round of funding, to be spent between 2001 and 2004, will be directed towards managing motor carrier operations in accordance with the new NSC safety rating provisions of the Motor Vehicle Transport Act.