March 26, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today issued the following statement:
Our Government is keenly aware of the importance of safe and navigable waterways in contributing to our economic prosperity.
This year's frigid temperatures have led to ice conditions that have not been seen in the Great Lakes or Eastern Canada in decades, which are having a direct adverse impact on Canadian products reaching domestic and international markets.
The Government and the Canadian Coast Guard have made an important decision to re-assign additional Coast Guard resources to the Great Lakes, to ensure that Canadian products, resources and agricultural goods get shipped to market. It is our firm belief that our economy, jobs and competitiveness depend on our ability to get our product into the marketplace.
I am proud that we are seeing more Canadian Coast Guard icebreaking capacity in the Great Lakes than any year in the past two decades. The Coast Guard has been working all winter to ensure the safe passage of all vessels in Canadian waters.
We remain committed to ensuring that quality Canadian commodities and products will continue to make their way to market safely and quickly.
We will continue to invest in our Coast Guard, increase capabilities and work in concert with our American partners to ensure that both Canadian and American shipping is able to travel safely through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway and on to market.
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Frank Stanek
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Sophie Doucet
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
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