No. P004/03For release - March 28, 2003
TAHSIS, 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 Tahsis public port facility to the Town of Tahsis. The transfer agreement includes a contribution of $350,000 from Transport Canada's Port Divestiture Fund.
"The Town of Tahsis 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 Tahsis port facility includes a shed, a wharf, a float, and an approach. The $350,000 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 60 regional port facilities into local hands in British Columbia, under the National Marine Policy.
"The goal of the National Marine Policy is to provide Canadians with an efficient and cost-effective ports system that contributes to our nation's economic growth and prosperity," said Mr. Collenette. "Under the National Marine Policy, the Town of Tahsis will be able to take greater advantage of these facilities, reduce costs, tailor levels of service to local demand, and have the flexibility to attract new and different types of business to their community."
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.
Funding for this initiative is built into the current fiscal framework.
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Contact:
Rod NelsonCommunications, Vancouver(604) 666-1675
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