Madam Speaker, given the hon. member's intervention, I guess there really is no need for an answer of any kind.
The hard working member for Sarnia—Lambton raised an important question concerning trade corridors in the national highway system. The member's question demonstrates his keen awareness that transportation is a strategic asset that can drive a country's economy. To capitalize on continental trade links we need not only the right rules and regulations, but we also need to have the right infrastructure.
Transport Canada certainly recognizes the importance of north-south trade corridors, but also the critical importance of their productivity with east-west highways. In this regard the department is currently working, as the member is obviously aware because it was stated in the House moments ago, with the provinces to update a national highway system study.
Highways in Canada are under provincial jurisdiction. Nevertheless, the federal government has assisted the provinces with highway construction since 1919. Future cost shared programs must consider highways important to our trade, whether north-south or east-west.
Federal departments are also actively promoting trade and traffic through co-operative efforts with counterparts in the U.S. to enhance the efficiency and operation of border crossing facilities. In this regard the federal government is well aware of and closely monitoring proposals being considered in the U.S. for funding in areas such as trade corridors and border gateways.
In summary, there are a number of cross-cutting issues which affect trade and transportation corridors. We must recognize that while there has been strong growth in north-south trade the east-west dimension remains critically important and we must co-operate in and co-ordinate the deployment of intelligent transportation systems in order to enhance trade and reduce congestion. We must pursue standards harmonizing under the NAFTA. Finally, we must explore the trade benefits which may be possible through the maximization of modal efficiencies and inter-modal linkages. There may also be important environmental benefits inherent in this total approach.