June 21, 2010
North Vancouver, British Columbia—Randy Kamp, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, spent World Hydrography Day in North Vancouver where workers are building four new hydrographic survey boats for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. This job creating project is funded by Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
“Our government's Economic Action Plan is creating jobs and opportunities in communities across Canada,” said Mr. Kamp. “I am pleased that the Government’s investment is benefiting workers in North Vancouver.”
Hourston Glascraft of North Vancouver, British Columbia, was awarded a $650,000 contract for four new hydrographic survey boats for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The new hydrographic survey boats will be based in the department’s Central and Arctic Region and used to support the science programs of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. They will be seven metres in length, and will replace existing boats that are nearing the end of their service life. The first new boat will be delivered next week, and all will be delivered by March 31, 2011.
These hydrographic vessels will contribute to improve and enhance our navigational charts. They will also become platforms for our scientists to research the maintenance and protection of the health of our oceans and the countless species that inhabit them.
“World Hydrography Day is a time to think about our oceans and the navigation charts that help to keep our mariners safe at sea,” said Mr. Kamp. “Our Government is pleased to provide new platforms for the surveys that support many applications, from shipping and fishing to tourism and leisure activities.”
As part of the $175 million provided through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard will procure 60 new small craft and 38 other small boats and barges, and undertake major repair work on 40 of its aging large vessels. Several contracts have been awarded as a result of competitive processes, and work is underway in shipyards across the country.
Backgrounder:
Budget 2009 – Small Boats (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/back-fiche/2009/budget2009e-eng.htm)
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For more information:
Nelson Kalil
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Nancy Bishay
Press Secretary
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
NR-HQ-10-37E
