No. H 200/08
For release - September 2, 2008
OTTAWA - The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the release of a report prepared by the Honourable David Crombie, P.C., O.C., with recommendations on the future of the Port of Oshawa.
"I would like to thank Mr. Crombie for his work on this report, and his insights," said Minister Cannon. "The Government of Canada agrees with Mr. Crombie's finding that a robust mixed-use harbour is critical to Oshawa and the Region of Durham, as well as to Ontario and Canada."
The report was commissioned by Transport Canada in 2007 to help determine future use of port lands belonging to the Crown. Mr. Crombie consulted with interested stakeholders in the development of the report. It's recommendations address future use and ownership of the port lands and neighbouring areas, and propose a new governance structure for their future management.
"Our government recognizes the significant economic challenges facing the Canadian economy today and these challenges are clearly evident in Oshawa and Durham Region," said the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Greater Toronto Area. "We will work with the city, the region, and the port to ensure the future success of this great natural resource and economic engine."
Transport Canada officials are currently considering all options for a new governance structure at the port. The department is also continuing the environmental assessment of the lands originally acquired from the city in the 1960s, as a step towards reaching a mutually agreeable solution on the future of the port and the return of all caveated lands. That is why the federal government will work with the city to remediate caveated lands to a level of environmental restoration required for transfer, as part of a negotiated solution for the city and the port. Consideration will also be given to the marina that historically straddles both the caveated and crown lands.
"Our government is pleased to deliver for the people of Oshawa. Our community deserves a clean, green, vibrant mixed-use waterfront and I am pleased that today, this is now becoming a reality," said Dr. Colin Carrie, Member of Parliament for Oshawa and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry.
The Oshawa Harbour Commission currently manages the port and administers some of the port's Crown land. It is the only remaining Harbour Commission in Canada. Under the National Marine Policy approved in 1995, Transport Canada has the authority to recommend Canada Port Authority status, or, with the agreement of all local interests, to divest ports to new owners under the Port Divestiture Program.
The report is available at www.tc.gc.ca/programs/ports/crombie.htm.
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Contacts:
Catherine Loubier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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