No. P002/03For release - March 20, 2003
TOFINO, 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 Tofino public port facility to the District of Tofino. The transfer agreement includes a contribution of $500,000 from Transport Canada's Port Divestiture Fund.
"The District of Tofino 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 Tofino port facility includes a wharf, a float and a seaplane float. The $500,000 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.
"Ports are integral to regional economic prosperity in British Columbia," said Mr. Collenette. "The National Marine Policy outlines the federal government's commitment to modernize Canada's marine transportation system and give port operators the flexibility to operate more effectively within their local business environment."
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.
Regional/Local ports 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 initiative is built into the current fiscal framework.
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Contact:
Rod NelsonCommunications, Vancouver(604) 666-1675
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