Hon. Jim Quinn: Honourable senators, I draw to your attention that yesterday the Atlantic Premiers met in Prince Edward Island and issued a statement on the need for a new federal infrastructure program to address the impacts of climate change and to build infrastructure that supports economic growth.

Specifically, the premiers highlighted that the Chignecto Isthmus between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia is a vital corridor at risk due to rising sea levels. Make no mistake about it: Sea-level rise is on a dramatic incline that will put at risk communities and transportation systems on all of Canada’s coasts, including the Isthmus, and, of course, this area provides the only rail and highway links from Canada to Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia to Canada. Billions of dollars in trade and tens of thousands of people cross this area every year.

Further, the Atlantic Premiers reiterated that the federal government has a constitutional responsibility to maintain links between provinces and fully fund the Chignecto Isthmus climate change adaptation project.

Honourable senators, if you recall, in April I asked Minister LeBlanc whether he would promote and support the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick premiers’ request for 100% federal funding. One solution to help in this goal is to use the declaratory power to transfer jurisdiction of the project to the Government of Canada. Considering that the four premiers are calling for increased federal support, this reinforces how the isthmus is a trade corridor of national importance and must be viewed so by the Government of Canada. Projects such as this, including, for example, the construction of the Champlain Bridge in Montreal, have been supported 100% by the federal government when in the national interest, and ensuring the security of the corridors crossing the isthmus is, without a doubt, in our national interest.

Honourable senators, when all four Atlantic premiers are united, I ask that we take note and hear their concerns. After all, it is our constitutional responsibility to promote regional interests. Thank you.

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