No. A002/04For publication: March 19, 2004 MIRAMICHI, NB - Transport Minister Tony Valeri, together with Richard Hare, President of the Miramichi Port Committee Inc. (MPCI), today announced the official transfer of the ownership of the Newcastle Marine Terminal from the Government of Canada to the MPCI. The MPCI, formerly known as the Newcastle Port Committee, is a locally-based, not-for profit group, that was created to negotiate the transfer of the Newcastle Marine Terminal. The City of Miramichi is supportive of the transfer of ownership of the Newcastle Marine Terminal to the MPCI. Under the transfer agreement, MPCI acquired the site from Transport Canada for $350,000 plus HST. As part of the transfer agreement, MPCI has agreed to operate the facility as a public port for at least another two years following the transfer. "MPCI is to be congratulated for joining the move towards a new era of port management," said Mr. Valeri. "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 transferred property, located below the Morrissey Bridge in Miramichi, includes a 308 metre long wharf, along with 5.6 hectares of upland and two transit sheds. "The MPCI is pleased to have acquired control of the facility," said Mr. Hare. "We shall work together to ensure the continued operational success of the site." 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 National Marine Policy enables ports to respond more effectively to the needs of their customers," said Mr. Valeri. "The better use of transportation infrastructure in this manner will ultimately help increase trade, tourism and job creation." The Port of Newcastle was one of 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. - 30 - Contact: Maurice Landry Regional Director Communications, Moncton, NB (506) 851-7562 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
