No. ON002/02For release - March 22, 2002
KENORA, Ontario — The Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and MP for Kenora-Rainy River, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, today announced the official transfer of the Kenora Wharves to the City of Kenora, effective March 22, 2002.
The transfer agreement includes a $1.5 million contribution from Transport Canada's Port Divestiture Fund to offset initial operating costs, such as repairs and ongoing maintenance, for the port facilities. The Port of Kenora includes three wharves.
"The City of Kenora is to be congratulated for joining the move towards a new era of port management," said Mr. Nault. "Having this facility run by local people who understand its importance to the community - and its potential for growth – will allow it to function in a more commercial and cost-effective manner."
Transport Canada's Port Divestiture Program was established in 1996, as part of the National Marine Policy, with the objective of transferring Regional/Local port sites to other interests. 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 Port of Kenora 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.
Located on the northeast shore of the Lake of the Woods, the Port of Kenora is approximately 116 kilometres east of the geographic centre of Canada. Its three wharves provide important marine facilities, serving pleasure craft owners, small commercial vessels, float plane operators and local contractors who use one of the wharves to transport equipment to other parts of the lake.
"The National Marine Policy enables ports to respond more effectively to the needs of their customers," said Mr. Collenette. "The better use of transportation infrastructure in this manner will ultimately provide a boost to trade, tourism and job creation."
Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the current fiscal framework.
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Contact:
Julie IannettaCommunications, Toronto(416) 952-0158
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