No. P006/02For release - November 28, 2002
SALTSPRING ISLAND, B.C. — Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal and MP (Vancouver South-Burnaby), on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, today announced the official transfer of the Fernwood Point public port facility, located on Salt Spring Island, to the Capital Regional District. The transfer agreement includes a contribution of $280,000 from Transport Canada's Port Divestiture Fund.
"This local organization is to be congratulated for joining the move towards a new era of port management," said Mr. Dhaliwal. "Having this facility run by local people who best know its role in the community - and its potential for growth - will allow it to function in a more commercial and cost-effective manner."
The Fernwood Point port facility includes an approach, a wharf and a float. The $280,000 federal contribution announced today is to offset initial operating costs, such as repairs and ongoing maintenance, for the port facility. Since 1997, the federal government has transferred over 50 regional port facilities into local hands in British Columbia, under the National Marine Policy.
"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."
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 has been extended to March 31, 2003.
The Fernwood Point port facility was a Transport Canada Regional/Local port, 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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