Rev.No. 01 Rev. Date 15 Nov 10 MEMORANDUM Pa e 1 of 2

L1867MSOl

DATE: February 27, 2014

TO: Elected Municipal Representatives in Nova Scotia

FROM: Steve Joy, President, CUPE Local 1867

RE: CUPE's'Warning - Bad Roads Ahead' Campaign

On behalf of the 1,400 plus women and men in the Nova Scotia Highway Workers' Union CUPELocal 1867, I am writing to you about a very important issue.

I urge you to take a moment to familiarize yourself with this issue in preparation of the potential for constituents calling you with concerns about the deteriorating state of the pavement in their part of the province; this will allow you to be armed with the facts.

CUPEwas vocal in its opposition to the McNeil government's plan to pull the plug on the public paving plant that our members had been operating over the last two paving seasons.

This decision is short-sighted and will be to the detriment of remote parts of the province that benefitted from this program of in-house paving. Some of these roads haven't been repaved since the Department of Transportation did them more than 20 years ago.

Attached please find information as well a print ad which was published in all of the province's daily newspapers, detailing the work that was done by the public plant in remote communities that have not had any paving work in decades.

The five-year 'projection' figure for the total amount of paving that will be done by the Liberal government is $209 million. This is lower than the five-year figure of $225 million committed to by the previous government. The new government stopped the in-house paving and they are doing less paving overall.

The January 23, 2014 article from the Cape Breton Post (enclosed) sites both opposition parties suggesting the province is spending a whopping $15.5 million less in paving.

The bottom line; having the private sector carry out all of the paving throughout the province has not served the taxpayers of Nova Scotia well. The work we (TIR) were doing is only meant to compliment the paving being completed by the private companies. TIR's asphalt plant was responsible for less than 3% of the paving. In remote rural areas private companies are reluctant to bid on small areas where little profit can be made. First and

NS Highway Workers Union Local 1867 271 Brownlow Ave., Dartmouth, NS B3B lW6 Phone: 1·902-832-1867/1-800-962-1867 Fax: 1-902-453-2635 Rev. No. I 01 '.".\\\C,"IHI' IFON~I: ~., .4>J' Rev. Date I 15 Nov 10 PaQe 2 of 2 ~.-{); MEMORANDUM ~~co'\\\v/~ r:l;PE. WC.\\' \~"~ L1867MSOl

foremost T1R's priority is to provide safe roads for the motoring public. This supersedes any priority of generating revenue.

Again, I urge you to take the time to familiarize yourself with this issue, so that when constituents call you to complain about the lack of paving in their part of the province, you can be armed with the correct information.

I have included a list of contact information for the Nova Scotia Liberal MLAs so you can discuss this matter with them. Public roads are a public matter, not private.

Enclosures

c: Jacquie Bramwell, CUPEAtlantic Regional Director Danny cavanagh, President, CUPENova Scotia Rick Clarke, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour

NS Highway Workers Union Local 1867 271 Brownlow Ave., Dartmouth, NS 83B lW6 Phone: 1·902·832·1867/1·800·962·1867 Fax: 1·902·453·2635 HARNiNG: 6ADROADS AH[AD Nova Scotia's newly-elected government has said it's pulling the plug on a public paving program that was started lessthan two years ago.

Here's a list of communities that saw paving done, in many cases for tile first time in decades, as part of the program during last year's paving season:

Kings County Guysborough County

1)Wharf Road - 0.62 km 1)Route 211 -12.3 km 2) King Street - 0.72 km 2) Route 316 - 6.6 km 3) Horton Cross - 0.75 km 3) Route 276 - 5.3 km 4) Old Post Road - 2.0 km 4) Trunk 7 -18.2 km 5) Old Trunk 1-1.91 km 6) Grand Pre Road - 3.761

Total - 45.36 km Total- 49 km

That's a season total of just under 95 kilometres. In the previous year of paving, Victoria/Inverness County and Queen's county benefitted from badly-neglectecl roads getting paved.

If we return to the way tllings were - a total reliance on private contractors to do the work - residents in remote parts of the province may be waiting a whole lot longer to see any more paving done.

A message from The Nova Scotia Highway Workers' Union

CUPE •

Public loses when private contractors have 'free rein' .., Meanwhile, the more remote parts of the province that the big I Public loses when contractors had been ignoring because these small jobs weren't prottabie enough for them, were actually seeing road work for the first time in decades.

private contractors So the party that campaigned on lower and stable power rates have 'free rein' through the introduction of competition in the Just one day after being sworn in, Premier McNeil has signaled his energy sector, doesn't plan to pull the plug on our public paving plant. appear to support lower But by doing so, the Liberals have just eliminated competition costs for paving roads between a small group of highly-profitable contractors who've via this same model? dominated the paving industry in our province and us, the taxpayers. And what will happen to the expensive The public paving plant that We are regularly reminded by business that competition keeps equipment that was recently purchased by the prices lower and stable for taxpayers. We saw this when, was purchased by Department of Transportation to immediately after the former NDP government announced it was pave roads in more remote parts of the Department of getting into the paving business, the price of asphalt dropped by the province. Transportation less 20%! than two years ago?

Almost miraculously, the price that we the taxpayers were paying This move by the new government spells bad roads ahead for fell to $45 a ton from $59, savings that led to more kilometres of the majority of Nova Scotia motorists and happy days for the big paving in 2012. contractors who had been making exorbitant profits until the in-house paving plan forced them to be more 'competitive'. CUPE A message from the Nova Scotia Highway Workers' Union, CUPE Local 1867 For more information contact CUPE National Representative Peter Baxter at (902) 455-4180 CAPE BRETON POST Proud · Strong · Local Bridging the gap

Erin Pottie Published on January 23, 2014 Five Cape Breton bridge projects included in decreased spending plan

Workers cut the steel overhead beams that made up the former Sydney River bridge on Thursday.

Topping the list is the Sydney River bridge replacement project that began in the fall.

Four other bridges that will see improvements are the Humes River, lower Middle River and Bay St. lawrence bridges in Victoria County, in addition to Crowd is bridge in Inverness County. This year's capital budget, which includes provincial, federal and municipal funding, is $235 million. In comparision, $245.8 million was spent last year. Additional operational funding for highway maintenance is expected to be made available in the upcoming provincial budget. On Thursday, Nova Scotia Transporation Minister Geoff Maclellan attributed the budget decline to a wrap-up of federal funding associated with major construction projects. "We're in between federai stimulus programs, so that was reduced from the overall capital budget, so we haven't cut anything," said Maclellan, who is MLA for Glace Bay. "We haven't removed any projects -it's relatively the same amount of money. The difference is that there was a reduction in the major construction portion of the highway budget because of the completion of agreements with the federal government.1I I

On Thursday, Progressive Conservative transportation critic Alfie MacLeod, who is MLA for Sydney River- Mira-Louisbourg, said the Liberals need to explain why the provincial portion of the highway budget has dropped by $15.5 million.

According to last year's plan, Nova Scotia contributed almost $225 million to its highways and roads, compared to $209 million this year.

Provincial highway funding inciudes all revenues collected through provincial gas taxes and registration of motor vehicles, as well as other funding provided by the provincial government.

MacLeod said the pian also highlights a federal contribution of $25.5 million provided by the Building Canada Plan, which is up $5.5 million over last year.

"In our area in particular, and right across the province, good transportation also means good economic sense," said MacLeod. "And where we rely so much on having good roads for tourism and everything, it is a disappointment."

MacLeod and Gordie Gosse, MLA for Sydney-Whitney Pier, said the MacLellan needs to better explain why the provincial contribution has decreased by $15.5 million.

Both Cape Breton MLAs also noted that while provincial dollars decreased, the plan highlights a $5.5- million increase in federal support.

"He's got to be more honest when it comes to saying that if he doesn't know what the budget is federaily, well they actually do (know) what it is and they know it's a $5-million increase," said Gosse.

Gosse said he was disappointed there was no mention of a multi-year rural roads plan, which he says was part of the NDP's election campaign.

"I was disappointed that that didn't come out, a rural plan," said Gosse. "If you live in rural Nova Scotia, unless you're in this year's projects, you don't know when your road is going to be paved." [email protected]

Cape Breton projects approved for 2014-15

Major

• Highway 125: Twinning Sydney River, Kings Road to Grand Lake Road

(multi-year project)

• Trunk 4: from 0.2 km west of McNabs Bridge westeriy to Soldiers Cove Road - 6.1 km

• Cabot Trail (Trunk 30): from the Little River Road southerly - 6.2 km

• South Side River Bourgeois Road: slope protection

Asphalt

• Highway 104: from change in pavement near Inverness/Richmond County Line easterly - 5 km • Highway 105: from Grand Narrows Road Intersection easterly to pleasant Street/Route 305 overpass - 5.4 km

• Route 223: from 1.5 km west of Rear Beach Road - 6.1 km

• Route 255: from 2 km south of Homeville - Milton Road (2010 construction joint) northerly to 2.6 km north of Black Brook Bridge - 8 km

• Route 327: from 1.8 km south of Oceanview Road (north end) southerly to intersection of Fourchu Road - 6.5 km

• Route 395: from change in pavement at Twin Rock Valley Bridge northerly to Strathlorne - Scotsville Road - 5.5 km

• Grand Narrows Road: from Hwy 105 southerly - Specified sections

• New Haven Road: from 1.8 km west of White Point Road easterly - Specified sections

• Little Harbour Road, Mombourquette Road, Shore Road: from Route 247 to wharf - 2 km

• Trunk 4: from the Rotary in Port Hastings to 0.9 km west of NSCCentrance (four lanes) - 2.5 km

• Birch Grove Road: from Broughton Road towards Port Morien - Specified sections

• Harbourview Crescent: Louisdale - Specified sections

• Silver Oak Drive: Louisdale - Specified sections

Sydney River bridge replacement project

Bridge length: 130 metres

Bridge width: 15.3 metres -this includes two 3.5-metre driving lanes, two 1.5-metre shoulders, and one four-metre active transportation lane.

Age of current bridge: 53 years

Traffic count: about 15,000 vehicles a day

Contractor: Caidwell and Ross Ltd.

Contract awarded: July 11, 2013

Contract cost: $12,625,080

Planning and design: Harbourside Engineering, Dartmouth, N.S.

Background: The existing Sydney River Bridge is a two-lane, steel truss bridge with overhead obstructions.

Source: Nova Scotia Department of Transportation The Honorable Stephen McNeil Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Policy and Priorities, Minister of Aboriqine! Affairs, and Minister responsible for Military Relations - Annapolis 142 Commercial St P.O. Box 1420 Middleton, Nova Scotia BOS IPO Tel: 825-2093 Fax: 825-6306 [email protected] www.nsliberalcaucus.ca

The Honourable Kelly Regan Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, Minister responsible for Advisory Council on the Status of Women - Bedford 1550 Bedford Highway Suite 555 Bedford, Nova Scotia B4A lE6 Tel: 407-3777 [email protected] www.kellyregan.ca

The Han. Karen Casey Mimster of Education and Early Childhood Development - Colchester North 30 Duke Street Truro. Nova Scotia B2N 2Al Tel: 893-2180 Fax: 893-3064 karenca [email protected] www.karencasey.ca

The Hon. Andrew Younger Minister of Energy and Minister of Communications Nova Scotia - Dartmouth East 73 Tacoma Drive, Suite 600 Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2W 3Y6 Tel: 406-4420 Fax: 406-4421 [email protected] www.andrewyounger.ca

The Han. Geoff Maclellan Minister of Transportation and Infrastrudure Renewal, Mimster responsible for the Sydney Steel Corporation Ad and the Tar Ponds Agency - Glace Bay 219 Commercial Street Suite D, Peoples Mall Glace Bay, Nova Scotia B1A 3B9 Tel: 842-4390 Fax: 842-4389 [email protected] geoffmaclellan.ca

1 The Han. Diana Whalen Deputy Premier and Mlrl/ster of Finance and the Treasury Board - Clayton Park West SUite 303 287 Lacewood Drive Halifax, Nova Scotia B3M 3Y7 Tel: 443-8318 Fax: 445-9287 dianawha [email protected] www.dianawhalen.ca

The Han. leo Glavine Minister of Health and Wellness, and Seniors - Kings West 694 Main Street PO Box 250 Kingston, Nova Scotia BOP IRO Tel: 765-4083 Fax: 765-4176 leog [email protected]

The Han. Keith Colwell Minister of Fisheries/Aquaculture and Aqriculture and the minister responsible for Part II of the Gaming Control Ad - Preston-Dartmouth 2345 Highway #7 P.O. Box I Camp 4 Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Z IG6 Tel: 433-1494 Fax: 435-1712 [email protected] keithcolwell

The Han. Michel P. Samson Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, Minister of Acadian Affairs and the Mimster responsible for Nova Scotia Business Inc., and the Innovation Corporation Ad - Cape Breton-Richmond Richmond Industrial Mall 2nd Floor PO Box 57 t.ouisdale, Nova Scotia BOE iVO Tel: 345-0778 Fax: 345-0779 [email protected]

The Han. Zach Churchill Minister of Natural Resources - Yarmouth 396 Main Street, SUite 100 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia B5A IE9 Tel: 742-4444 Fax: 742-7391 [email protected] www.zachchurchill.ca

2 The Han. Randy Delorey Minister of Environment, Minister Responsible for Gaelic Affairs - Antigonish 155 Main Street Second Floor Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2B6 Tel: 870-5899 office@delorey4antigonish,ca

The Han. Lena Diab Attorney General and MiniSter of Justice, Minister of Immigration - Halifax-Armdale 2625 Joseph Howe Dr, Suite 26 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 4G4 Tel: 455-1610 info@lenadiab,ca

The Han. Joanne Bernard Mtntster of Community Services and the Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons Commission Ad - Dartmouth North 260 Wyse Rd" Unit 102 Professional Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B3A 1N2 Tel: 444-9693 dnorth mla@eastlink,ca

The Hon. Tony Ince Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage and the Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs. - Cole Harbour- Portland Valley 1081 Cole Harbour Rd. Unit 6 Cole, Nova Scotia B2V 1E8 Tel: 406-3288 tony, ince@tonyince,ca

The Han. Mark Furey Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations and the Minister responsible for the Residential Tenencies Ad - Lunenburg West 425 Kings Street Bridgewater, Nova Scotia B4V 1B1 Tel: 902-530-3883 ma rkfurey, mla@eastlink,ca

The Hon. Labi Kousoulis Minister of the Public Service Commission and Minister of the Voluntary Sedor - Halifax Citadel-Sable Island Tel: 444-8200 [email protected]

3 The Han. Kevin Murphy Speaker of the House of Assembly - Eastern Shore 5228 Highway #7, Unit 9 Porters Lake Shopping Centre Porters Lake, Nova Scotia B3E lJ8 Tel: 281-3005 Fax: 281-3006 [email protected]

Gordon Wilson MIA - Clare-Digby 138 Highway 303, Conway. NS, (Digby Office) 1287 Highway I, Littlebrook, NS, 80W IMO(Clare Office) I(Mail) Church point P.O Box Ill, NS, BOW IMO Tel: 769-6683 (Clare) Alt: 245-5300 (Digby) [email protected]

Joyce Treen MIA - Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage ISIS Main Rd. PO Box 371 Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia B3G lM7 Tel: 465-1888 Fax: 465-1089 [email protected]

Terry Farrell MIA - Cumberland North Tel: 660-3144 terry. [email protected]

Allan Rowe Caucus Whip - Dartmouth South 211 Pleasant Street Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 3R5 Tel: 429-7693 Fax: 461-4027 [email protected]

Patricia Arab MIA - Fairview-Clayton Park 3845 Joseph Howe Dr. SUite 203 Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 4H9 Tel: 329-8683 [email protected]

4 L10ydHines Caucus Chair - Guysborough-Eastern Shore- Tracadie 9996 Hwy 16 Unit P-l PO Box 259 Guysborough, Nova Scotia BOH lNO Tel: 533-2280 Alt: 533-2280 Fax: 533-3390 [email protected]

Brendan Maguire MLA - Halifax Atlantic 349 Herring Cove Road Suite C Tel: 444-0147 [email protected]

Joachim Stroink MLA - Halifax Chebucto 6270 Quinpooi Road Halifax, NS, Nova Scotia B3L lA3 Tel: 405-7802 Fax: 405-7804 [email protected]

Ben Jessome MLA - Hammonds Plains-Lucasville 2120 Hammonds Plains Rd, Unit 3 Tel: 404-9900 Fax: 404-8415 [email protected]

Margaret Miller Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly - Hants East 693 Highway 2 Elmsdale, Nova Scotia Tel: 883-3465 Alt: 1-855-383-3465 Fax: 883-3293 ma rgaretmi [email protected]

Keith Irvi ng MLA - Kings South 3-24 Harbourside Dr. PO Box 2455 Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2Cl Tel: 542-0050 Fax: 542-3423 [email protected]

S Suzanne Lohnes-Croft MIA - Lunenburg 125A Cornwall Rd. PO Box 136 Blockhouse, Nova Scotia BOJ lEO Tel: 531-3095 Fax: 531-3094 lu nen burg [email protected]

Stephen Gough MIA - Sackville-Beaver Bank 1000 Sackville Drive Sackville, Nova Scotia B4E 0C2 Tel: 252-9900 [email protected]

lain Rankin MIA - Timberlea-Prospect 1268 St. Margarets Bay Rd Beechville, Nova Scotia B3T lA7 Tel: 404-7036 Fax: 404-7056 [email protected]

Pam Eyking MIA - Victoria- The Lakes 15 Alder Point Rd. Suite 7 Bras d'Or, Nova Scotia Bl Y 2K2 Tel: 736-7263 Fax: 736-1930 [email protected]

Bill Horne MIA - Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank 29 Blue Hill Road Fall River, Nova Scotia billhornem [email protected]

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