No. H108/04 For release November 22, 2004 ST. JOHN'S - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, along with Natural Resources Minister R. John Efford, today announced the formation of an advisory committee to examine the future of Marine Atlantic Inc. The committee will study a wide range of issues to identify long-term strategies for stabilizing the company's ferry service operations. Marine Atlantic Inc. is an independent Crown corporation mandated to operate the constitutionally required ferry service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the seasonal alternative service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Government of Canada. "The Government of Canada is committed to stabilizing Marine Atlantic and ensuring that the important transportation services it provides remain safe, reliable, efficient and affordable," said Mr. Lapierre. "We are also committed to working with stakeholders to develop a long-term strategy and improve discussions between the Government of Canada, Marine Atlantic and users dependent on its services." The formation of the advisory committee will provide an opportunity to engage stakeholders in the development of a long-term strategy. The committee comprises three members, representing the industry, the Government of Canada, and stakeholders. They are: Captain Sidney J. Hynes, President & Chief Executive Officer of Canship Ltd. (committee chair); Mr. Emile Di Sanza, Director General of Marine Policy, Transport Canada; and Mr. Roger Jamieson, the private sector representative for Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia on the Canadian Tourism Commission's board of directors. The committee will focus on the following: the economic importance of Marine Atlantic Inc., and its services; the quality and level of service required; fleet configuration and renewal; future capital requirements; efficiencies in Marine Atlantic's operations; alternative service delivery; ongoing partnership opportunities; and long-term funding solutions and pricing strategies. "I am confident that this committee will take a balanced approach in its efforts to find long-term solutions to this issue," said Mr. Lapierre. The committee is expected to provide the Minister of Transport with a final report by March 31, 2005. The committee will hold consultations with both stakeholders and representatives from Marine Atlantic in January 2005. -30- Contacts: Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications, Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 Brian McGregor Communications Transport Canada, Ottawa (613) 993-0055 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. BACKGROUNDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS' BIOGRAPHIES Captain Sidney J. Hynes Sidney J. Hynes attended Memorial University's Marine Institute where he became a Master Mariner and Naval Architect and has over 28 years of experience in marine transportation, maritime administration, offshore oil and related industries. He was a member of the Memorial University Marine Institute's Advisory Board and Chairman of the St. John's Port Users Group. Captain Hynes was St. John's Board of Trade "Transportation Person of the Year" in 1992 and is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Canship Limited, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Canship Ugland Limited, and member of the Board of Directors for Penney Ugland I Inc. and Penney Ugland II Inc. Mr. Emile Di Sanza Emile Di Sanza holds an honours bachelor of arts from McGill University and a masters degree from McMaster University. He joined the public service in 1974 and has been in the transportation field since 1979. He has held assignments in marine, surface and air sectors. Mr. Di Sanza recently served as Executive Director on the Review of the Canada Transportation Act. He is currently the Director General for the Marine Policy Branch at Transport Canada and has been extensively involved in Canada-United States and NAFTA issues, as well as trade corridor and border initiatives. Mr. Roger Jamieson Roger Jamieson is the private sector representative for Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia on the Canadian Tourism Commission's board of directors. He is the chair of the corporate governance committee, a member of the executive and ad hoc small- and medium-sized enterprises committees, an industry representative on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's Tourism Product Touring Team and owns Kilmory Resort in Newfoundland. Mr. Jamieson is past president of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador and past industry chair of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership's management committee. He has served as a director of the Heritage Run Tourism Association, as president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Campgrounds and Attractions Operators Association and as a member of the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council. November 2004
