News Release
HRM Breaks Off talks With Province
(Wednesday, April 28/2004)-- Halifax Regional Municipality has advised the province that it will hold no further discussions regarding establishment of a capital District Transportation Authority until the issue of governance has been resolved, Mayor Peter Kelly said today.
Mayor Kelly said it has always been HRM's understanding that any such transportation authority would consist of a board of 11 directors-- three members of Council; three HRM residents appointed by Council; three members of HRM staff appointed by the Chief Administrative Officer; and two members appointed by the province.
"Naturally, we were shocked this morning when we read comments attributed to Transportation Minister Ron Russell, who apparently made it clear to reporters yesterday that HRM will not be in charge of the authority," he said. "This was certainly not communicated to us during our many conversations over the past year with the Minister and the province regarding this issue."
Transportation Minister Russell introduced a bill in the provincial legislature yesterday to establish a Capital District Transportation Authority. The composition of the board, selection of its chair, its role and responsibilities, its scope and authority, compensation etc. would be determined by the province through regulations.
Mayor Kelly said "The whole purpose of the transportation authority was to provide for the overall planning if, and effective management of, the transportation network within HRM and the safe movement of people and goods through a variety of transportation modes. Now, the province seems to be making an issue over who should be in control of HRM's assets."
The Mayor said HRM laid out its concept of a regional transportation authority to provincial officials over a year ago, and on February 22 this year, an HRM delegation appeared before the Legislature's Standing Committee on Economic Development with the same information.
"Until I read the Minister's comments in the newspaper today, the province has never taken issue with our concept of the transportation authority...... including the composition of the board and to whom it would report, namely Halifax Regional Council,"he said.
Mayor Kelly said if matters between HRM and the province aren't resolved on this issue, the municipality would have no choice but to seek support from the Opposition parties and appear before the Legislature's Law Amendments Committee to oppose the government's bill.
-30---
Mayor Peter Kelly
(902) 490-4010
