No. H 229/08
For release - November 21, 2008
OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO - The most advanced marine simulation and research centre in Canada officially opened today at the Owen Sound Campus of Georgian College. Mr. Larry Miller, the Member of Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, on behalf of John Baird, Canada's Transport Minister, the Honourable Donna Cansfield, Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources, and Mr. Brian Tamblyn, president and chief executive officer of Georgian College, were present for the grand opening and launch of the centre.
"This state-of-the-art facility will provide a realistic training experience like no other that will make Canada a leader on the world stage in the marine industry," said Mr. Miller. "The Government of Canada is pleased to partner in research and technology projects like this, which will create jobs for Canadians."
The centre is the first of its kind in Canada. It includes four state-of-the-art simulators of ship bridges and engine rooms with computer generation and projection, and a world-class full mission ship simulator, which features a 360-degree view of harbours and waterways around the world.
The Province of Ontario contributed $3.75 million to the project. "By investing in a first-class, accredited marine simulation and research centre in Owen Sound, the province is helping strengthen the marine industry and providing benefits to Ontarians now and in the future," said Minister Cansfield.
The City of Owen Sound, marine industry partners and generous private donors to the Georgian College Power of Education fundraising campaign provided additional funding to this new marine simulation and research centre.
"We are thrilled to open this state-of-the-art centre," said Mr. Tamblyn. "This facility allows the college and the marine industry at large to keep up with the demand for highly trained marine professionals. With this facility, we can address the educational needs of an industry that contributes to our economy and quality of life. Previously, mariners had to travel out of Canada for some of this specialized training."
Global marine traffic is expected to triple in the next 20 years. At the same time, a worldwide shortage of ship's officers and seafarers is forecast. In the Great Lakes marine transportation industry alone, three-quarters of employees are set to retire in the near future, creating an estimated 1,500 job vacancies in Ontario.
Georgian College offers a three-year co-op program in marine engineering technology and marine navigation technology. Each program has been planned in cooperation with Transport Canada and marine industry partners.
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Contacts:
Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Transport Minister John Baird, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Melissa Scanlan
Communications Specialist
Georgian College
705-728-1968, ext. 1007
Anne White
Media Relations
Office of the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources
416-314-2093
Sharon Burkhart
Manager, Corporate Communications
Georgian College
705-728-1968, ext. 1043
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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