H081/13
For release - June 24, 2013
DIGBY, NOVA SCOTIA — The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Central Nova; Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova; and Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament for Saint John, today announced that the Government of Canada will invest in a replacement vessel for the federally-owned MV Princess of Acadia.
“Today’s announcement begins the process to secure a replacement vessel for the MV Princess of Acadia,” said Minister MacKay. “A replacement vessel will ensure safe, reliable and efficient operation of this ferry service while creating jobs and supporting the local economy.”
Economic Action Plan 2013 provided funding for the new vessel and costs associated with acquiring the vessel. The procurement process to be launched soon will involve the identification and assessment of suitable candidate vessels from all over the world, including Canada.
“This ferry service is important to the economy of Nova Scotia,” said MP Kerr. “This replacement vessel will assure the safety of all travellers and will improve the flow of commercial traffic.”
“Our government understands the importance of this ferry service to the local community and economy in support of regional trade and tourism,” said MP Weston. “Since 2006, we have made significant investments in the Digby to Saint John ferry service.”
Travelling the 70 kilometres between Digby, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick, the MV Princess of Acadia, built in 1971, operates on a year-round basis carrying passenger and commercial traffic with a total of 155 cars and 33 tractor trailers. The MV Princess of Acadia is owned by Transport Canada and is operated by Bay Ferries Limited, a private company. Transport Canada also owns both ferry terminals and supports other private operators who provide ferry services between Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island and Caribou, Nova Scotia; and Cap-aux-Meules, Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec and Souris, Prince Edward Island.
Canada's Economic Action Plan provides new opportunities for growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than one million net new jobs created since July 2009.
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Contacts:
Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities,
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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