MV Sound of Islay to re-join ferry fleet, improving regional transit services and boosting tourism
News Release
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, January 31, 2017
The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are making strategic infrastructure investments to support community services and economic development.
The Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Bonavista‒Burin‒Trinity, on behalf of Minister Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Allan Hawkins, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced more than $5.96 million in federal-provincial funding for the rehabilitation of the MV Sound of Islay.
Work involves replacing approximately 210 square metres of deteriorated steel to improve the structural capacity of the underwater hull, widening passageways and modifying facilities to improve accessibility, and installing a new electrical switchboard to increase electrical reliability on board.
These upgrades will allow the most versatile vessel in the intra-provincial ferry fleet to resume operations. This will help meet increasing service demands during peak commercial and tourism seasons, generating more traffic for local businesses and promoting economic growth throughout the region.
The Government of Canada is contributing up to $1.98 million to this project. The province of Newfoundland and Labrador will provide the remaining $3.97 million.
Quotes
"Our Government is working in close partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that support job creation, strengthen the middle class, and generate new economic opportunities across the province. The rehabilitation of the MV Sound of Islay will ensure safe and reliable transportation of people and goods to the communities it serves."
The Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Bonavista‒Burin‒Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"Through discussions with our federal counterparts and enhanced criteria under the New Build Canada Fund, we were able to successfully leverage federal funding to move this project forward. The refit of the MV Sound of Islay will get underway in the coming days and once complete, the vessel will be an important addition to the provincial fleet, serving as a swing vessel where and when required."
The Honourable Allan Hawkins, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Transportation and Works
Quick Facts
- The MV Sound of Islay is the only vessel in the intra-provincial ferry fleet that can operate out of all 24 ports on the Island, making it a highly valuable asset for Newfoundland and Labrador's marine transit services.
- The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
Associated Links
Contacts
Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
Brook.Simpson@canada.ca
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
infc.media-medias.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada
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