No. Q006/06
For release - June 29, 2006
HAVRE ST. PIERRE, (Quebec) — The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister for Transport and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region were both at Havre St. Pierre today to officially mark the transfer of the Port of Havre St. Pierre to the Corporation de développement et de gestion du port de Havre-Saint-Pierre.
"I am pleased to be here to mark the transfer of the Port of Havre St. Pierre and to see that the transition to administration by the Corporation de développement et de gestion du port de Havre-Saint-Pierre is going well as planned," said Minister Cannon. "The port transfer will bolster the development of the local economy and create opportunities for job creation and tourism benefiting the entire region."
The transfer of the Port of Havre St. Pierre to local interests falls under a co-operation agreement reached by the governments of Canada and Quebec in 2004.
"This is a first for a commercial port, and the port transfer to the Corporation de développement et de gestion du port de Havre-Saint-Pierre has taken place under conditions that are satisfactory to Quebec and that reflect the agreement reached by the two levels of government. These conditions and the dynamism of local stakeholders point to a promising future for this infrastructure which is of strategic importance for the local economy," stated Minister Julie Boulet.
In addition to transferring ownership, the Government of Canada has provided more than $14.6 million in financial assistance to the Corporation de développement et de gestion du port de Havre-Saint-Pierre, including $13,275,000 from Transport Canada to rebuild the wharf and maintain the port over the coming years. Canada Economic Development has provided a contribution of $900,000 and Parks Canada $450,000 for the construction of a multipurpose building.
"These amounts will enable the Corporation de développement et de gestion du port de Havre-Saint-Pierre to maximize the potential of the port infrastructure, while ensuring a positive transition for operations," added Minister Cannon.
"I am pleased that wharf refurbishing and a new building are part of this divestiture because the demand for these facilities is growing fast. I encourage all the economic players of Havre St. Pierre, whose collective efforts have resulted in this acquisition, to continue working together to ensure that this infrastructure quickly becomes a tool for significant regional economic development, and to ensure that the divestiture has a very successful outcome," specified Minister Boulet.
The transferred property comprises the facilities supporting maritime service on the Lower North Shore, supply vessels for the fish processing plant, and tourist activities. The Havre St. Pierre wharf is located between the marina and the facilities of QIT-Fer et Titane Inc.
The Corporation de développement et de gestion du port de Havre-Saint-Pierre is a local non-profit organization established to promote the development of the Port of Havre St. Pierre. Local stakeholders and port users have supported the corporation in its efforts to secure ownership.
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Contacts:
Natalie SarafianPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Transport,Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
François-Nicolas AsselinCommunicationsTransport Canada, Dorval(514) 633-2741
Antoine GodboutPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister for Transport, Quebec City(418) 643-6980
Jean ArmandCommunications OfficerMinistère des transports du Québec(418) 644-1520 ext. 2567
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