No. H129/04 For release December 22, 2004 RATE FREEZE FOR MARINE ATLANTIC INC. OTTAWA - Natural Resources Minister R. John Efford on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced that the Government of Canada has placed a two-year freeze on rates charged by Marine Atlantic Inc., the company that provides ferry services between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. The freeze will be in effect from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2006. The rate freeze was recommended by an advisory committee which was struck to examine the future of Marine Atlantic Inc. The recommendation was presented to Minister Lapierre in early December. "This move should give confidence to the users of Marine Atlantic's ferry services that the Government of Canada has heard their concerns and is responding in a positive way to help stabilize the service over the long term," said Minister Efford. "Keeping rates at the current level will ensure the continued affordability of Marine Atlantic's services to both private and commercial users, and provide certainty to the trucking and tourist industries so they can better plan their business activities over the next two years." On November 22, Minister Lapierre announced the formation of the advisory committee to examine the future of Marine Atlantic Inc. The committee was charged with studying a wide range of issues to identify long-term strategies for stabilizing the company's ferry service operations. The committee will hold consultations with stakeholders in January 2005, and is expected to provide the Minister with a final report by March 31, 2005. "The Government of Canada is committed to stabilizing Marine Atlantic Inc. and ensuring that the important transportation services it provides remain safe, reliable, efficient and affordable," said Minister Lapierre. "Today's announcement shows that we are quickly making progress in reaching these important goals." 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. - 30 - Contacts: Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 Tom Ormsby Director of Communications Office of the Minister Natural Resources Canada (613) 996-2007 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.
