Ogden Point Deep Sea Terminal benefitting from Canada’s Economic Action Plan
Victoria, British Columbia, April 17, 2012 – The federal and provincial governments had double cause for celebration today – officially welcoming the first cruise ship of the 2012 season to Victoria, while highlighting how recent infrastructure investments at Ogden Point are attracting a new class of cruise vessels.
The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Senior Minister Responsible for British Columbia, joined Curtis Grad, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) to kick-off the 2012 cruise season. Today’s arrival marks the first of 229 expected calls from 25 ships in 2012, which will bring more than 475,000 passengers and 200,000 crew to the Greater Victoria region.
“Canada’s Economic Action Plan continues to deliver results across the country and I’m delighted our investments are paying off here in Victoria,” said Minister Moore. “The expanded pier is increasing tourism and providing a significant boost to British Columbia’s economy.”
The governments of Canada and British Columbia partnered with the GVHA to install a mooring dolphin 70 metres from the end of a 240-metre pier at Ogden Point to accommodate larger cruise vessels. Thanks to these investments, a 315-metre vessel capable of carrying 2,850 passengers is confirmed to call on Victoria in 2013. During this cruise season, the longest vessel expected to call on Victoria is 296 metres, with a maximum capacity of 2,600 passengers.
“Our government is committed to expanding B.C.’s trade gateways to the world, through improved airports, sea ports and border crossings,” said the Honourable Blair Lekstrom, British Columbia Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “The tourism industry is a key driver in our economy and the Ogden Point terminal expansion will help attract larger ships and more tourists to Victoria.”
“The support from both governments is critical to ensuring the long-term viability of Ogden Point as a cruise ship facility,” said Mr. Grad. “We are committed to managing the growth in a safe and sustainable way.”
The Government of Canada committed $900,000 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF) toward the installation of the mooring dolphin. Under the ISF and Transportation Partnerships Program, the Province of British Columbia committed $1.5 million to the project, which included dredging along Pier B. GVHA committed just over $1.5 million.
Through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Government of Canada invested over $505 million in more than 440 projects across British Columbia.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on creating new opportunities for jobs and growth, and securing long-term prosperity for Canadians. Investing in public infrastructure is an important part of this strategy. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s leadership, and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 690,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. To learn more about the opportunities in Economic Action Plan 2012, visit http://www.budget.gc.ca/2012/home-accueil-eng.html.
Since October 2008, over $5.5 billion has been committed by the province to over 900 infrastructure projects in British Columbia, which has created more than 35,000 jobs over the life of the projects.
Tourism is one of the key economic sectors identified in Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan. Our tourism strategy builds on the jobs plan, providing a framework for government and industry to work together to attract more visitors and create jobs for British Columbians.
For further information on Canada’s infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on the Canada Starts Here: BC Jobs Plan, visit: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/.
Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) is a not-for-profit corporation governed by a local Board of Directors. It owns and operates deep water, marina and upland holdings throughout Victoria’s harbour including the large-vessel Ogden Point port facility, Victoria’s renowned Fisherman’s Wharf, and the inner harbour’s luxury yacht and marine tourism facility at Ship Point.
Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241
Rebecca Penz
Manager of Sustainability & Quality Management
Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
250-886-8035
rpenz@victoriaharbour.org
