February 22, 2008
Kitimat, British Columbia
A federal investment of $160,000 will enable the Kitimat Port Development Society to complete a study examining the feasibility of converting the private Port into a public break bulk and shipping terminal.
The announcement was made by the Honourable Jay Hill, Secretary of State, Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.
"The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening regional and rural economies through infrastructure improvements," said Secretary of State Hill. "The results of this study will determine to what extent developing the Kitimat facility would help businesses and industry throughout northern B.C. and Alberta capitalize on Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor opportunities."
"The Northwest Corridor is critically important to making the Asia-Pacific Gateway a truly efficient logistics and transportation link between North America and Asia," said David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics and Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Kingsway. "We fully support Kitimat in wanting to look at how it can leverage its infrastructure assets to address future demand for port capacity on the West Coast."
The funding will enable the Kitimat Port project to complete a 4-phased study that examines the logistics of converting the Port of Kitimat into a public facility. Work includes evaluation of costs, potential environmental and socio-economic impacts, and the development of an implementation plan. If realized, the re-development will provide additional port capacity on the West coast of British Columbia, saving time and money for the northern businesses and industries that utilize it.
"The Kitimat Port Development Society is proud to be a part of this tremendous partnership effort in helping to make this vital project a reality," said Roger Harris, Executive Director of the Kitimat Port Development Society. "The Port of Kitimat has the potential to make Kitimat an important player in the National Asia-Pacific Gateway Strategy."
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the western economy. It also represents the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Jackie StewartCommunications AdvisorWestern Economic Diversification CanadaVancouver, B.C.Tel: 604 666-1306
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
