For release - May 1, 2003
KINGSTON, Ont. — Peter Milliken, MP for Kingston and the Islands, welcomed today's announcement by Transport Minister David Collenette of the official transfer of five tenant properties in Kingston Harbour to the City of Kingston. The City of Kingston purchased these properties from Transport Canada for a sum of $50,000.
"It is another historic moment for Kingston. The transfer marks a new era of port management and will allow these facilities to be run by local people who best know their role in the community.," said Mr. Milliken. "Who better to realize the potential of this property than the people of Kingston".
The properties are comprised of a 480 square metre walkway, a 2,120 square metre waterlot and walkway, a 25,050 square metre park, a 3,280 square metre park and recreational area, and a 8,300 square metre heli-pad located in the Kingston Harbour.
Mayor Isabel Turner stated, "This marks the achievement of a goal to obtain more waterfront property for the City of Kingston."
"The goal of the National Marine Policy is to provide Canadians with an efficient and cost-effective ports system that can contribute to our nation's economic growth and prosperity," said Mr. Collenette. "Under the National Marine Policy, the City of Kingston will be able to take greater advantage of these facilities, reduce costs, tailor levels of service to local demand, and will 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.
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:
Stephanie SanfordCommunications, Toronto(416) 952-0160
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