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Canadian Provinces Collaborate on Radio System (9/11/08)
Three Canadian provinces — Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia — signed a four-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a Maritimewide mobile radio communications system.

Each of the provinces currently operates an independent mobile radio system, and all are actively involved in renewing those systems for their respective emergency response organizations. The partnership may include collaborating on procurement, and sharing the cost and operation of a next-generation, interprovincial system. The provinces will also work together in exploring federal funding to support the initiative.

Under the joint agreement, a working group, made up of one representative from each province, will consult with stakeholders and develop a plan to bring the project forward to government. The goal is to have a Maritimewide mobile communications system in place in 2011. The Maritime premiers issued a decision at the Council of Atlantic Premiers in May, directing their officials to explore the development of the new communications system.

“I am pleased to work with my counterparts in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to formalize our partnership and explore federal funding for this initiative,” said Prince Edward Island Minister Carolyn Bertram. “A Maritimewide public-safety radio system would not only benefit our province as we explore options to replace the mobile radio and pager system currently in use, it will increase efficiency and enable us to provide seamless emergency communications among our three neighboring provinces.”