No. A001/02For release - February 4, 2002
TIVERTON, NS — The Honourable Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, together with Ron Russell, Nova Scotia Minister of Transportation and Public Works, today announced the official transfer of the Tiverton Government Wharf to the Government of Nova Scotia, effective February 4, 2002. The transfer agreement includes a Government of Canada contribution of $400,000 towards the operation and maintenance of the facility.
The facility is primarily used as a base for the provincially run ferry service connecting Digby Neck with Long Island on the western shore of Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy coastline.
"The transfer of these port facilities to the Government of Nova Scotia will benefit the operation of the provincially run ferry service at Tiverton," said Mr. Thibault. "The facility is now properly placed in the hands of its primary user."
The transferred site includes a 152m rectangular wharf, which hosts the ferry docking facility, and the associated water lot.
Under the National Marine Policy, announced in December 1995, Regional/Local port sites are being transferred to other interests over a six-year period ending in March 2002. In some cases, ports are being transferred as operating ports; in other cases, Crown land and facilities are being transferred to interested parties for other uses.
"The National Marine Policy enables ports to respond more effectively to the needs of their customers," said Minister Collenette. "The better use of transportation infrastructure in this manner will ultimately provide a boost to trade, tourism and job creation."
"Provincial ownership of the Tiverton wharf is a clear sign of our commitment to the ferry service and the local economy," said Minister Russell. "Funds we receive as part of the transfer agreement will be used for future repairs and upgrading, to make sure the wharf meets our needs for many years to come."
The Port of Tiverton was one of Transport Canada's Regional/Local ports which range from large facilities that support significant local and regional commercial activity to very small facilities with little or no commercial traffic.
Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
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Contact:
Paul DoucetCommunications, Transport Canada(902) 426-7795
Richard PerryCommunications, Nova Scotia MinistryTransportation and Public Works(902) 424-8687
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