No. P005/02For release - June 25, 2002
VICTORIA, B.C. — Environment Minister David Anderson and MP (Victoria), on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, today announced the official transfer of the Ogden Point public port facility in Victoria's outer harbour and $7 million in funding to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA).
The $7 million contribution included in the transfer agreement is from Transport Canada's Port Divestiture Fund to offset initial operating costs, such as repairs and ongoing maintenance, and upgrading of the port facility. The Ogden Point public port facility includes a breakwater, two piers, and several buildings.
In April, three key public port facilities in Victoria's inner harbour - Wharf Street, Fisherman's Wharf and Government Street - and $4.9 million in funding were transferred to the new Harbour Authority. The federal government has contributed a total of $11.9 million in the transfer agreements to offset initial operating costs and help ensure the economic viability and continued success of the new Authority. The total value of the assets transferred to the Harbour Authority is close to $25 million.
"This completes the transfer of four major properties in Victoria Harbour to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority," said Mr. Anderson. "Having these facilities run by a Harbour Authority that represents local government, stakeholders and First Nations will benefit the whole community and will allow these key facilities to function in a more commercial and cost-effective manner."
As part of its Victoria and Esquimalt Harbours Environmental Program, Transport Canada invested $1.1 million at these facilities to meet environmental commitments and ensure they were in business-ready condition for the new Authority.
"The National Marine Policy enables ports to respond more effectively to the needs of their customers," said Mr. Collenette. "Victoria Harbour is an important recreation and business area enjoyed by many. The better use of transportation infrastructure in this manner will ultimately provide a boost to trade, tourism and job creation."
Transport Canada will continue to operate the Victoria Harbour water airport and carry out its aviation and marine regulatory responsibilities in the harbour.
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 program, originally scheduled to end March 31, 2002, has recently been extended to March 31, 2003.
Victoria Harbour's public port facilities were designated as 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 current fiscal framework.
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Contact:
Rod NelsonCommunications, Vancouver(604) 666-1675
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