December 18, 2014 - Québec, Quebec
The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and MP for Lévis–Bellechasse and Les Etchemins, today announced a major investment on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to modernize aids to navigation on the St. Lawrence.
Spread over five years, the $7.8 million investment will be used to purchase and deploy 185 new generation four-season buoys between Québec and Montréal. This project is in line with the Government of Canada's commitment to strengthen Canada’s world-class tanker safety system.
"Our government is committed to strengthening marine safety in order to protect the public and the environment, particularly in the St. Lawrence. One of the cornerstones of this commitment is the modernization of aids to navigation. With cutting-edge aids to navigation, it will be much easier for mariners to confirm their position in harsh conditions in order to further reduce the risk of grounding and collision. Through these actions, the Canadian Coast Guard will continue to be a world leader in marine safety."
The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and MP for Lévis–Bellechasse and Les Etchemins
"The Shipping Federation of Canada applauds this measure for its contribution to enhancing navigation safety. Having illuminated buoys in this navigational area year round will not only make navigation safer, but will also improve its flow. We also believe that this waterway deserves buoyage comparable to the systems in place in other shipping routes across the country so that trade can occur in safe conditions."
Jean-François Belzile, Director of Marine Operations, Shipping Federation of Canada
Communications Branch
Quebec Region
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
418-648-5474
Media.qc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Sophie Doucet
Director of Communications
Minister's Office
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
NR-QR-14-57E
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