No. Q010/05
For release October 26, 2005

CANADA’S TRANSPORT MINISTER
PLEASED BY ORDER CONCERNING EVENTUAL
TRANSFER OF PORT OF HAVRE-SAINT-PIERRE

HAVRE-SAINT-PIERRE (Québec) – Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre is pleased that the Government of Quebec has issued an order allowing the eventual transfer of the Port of Havre-Saint-Pierre to the Corporation de développement et gestion du port de Havre-Saint-Pierre.

"The issuance of this order is very good news and lets us move along to the next phase in the divestiture process of the Port of Havre-Saint-Pierre," said Mr. Lapierre. "I am confident that the next steps will proceed smoothly and that we will be able to announce the port’s official transfer of ownership in early 2006".

The Port of Havre Saint-Pierre is the last stopover of the Lower North Shore maritime service. Its wharf is located between the marina and the QIT-Fer et Titane’s facilities. The wharf is also used to resupply the fish processing plant.

"The eventual transfer of the Port of Havre-Saint-Pierre will occur under the National Marine Policy, which allows the ports to better respond to client needs more effectively," added Mr. Lapierre. "Optimal use of this transportation infrastructure, which will be managed by local people, will ultimately stimulate trade, tourism and job creation efforts".

Transport Canada’s Port Divestiture Program was established in 1995 as part of the National Marine Policy, with the objective of transferring Regional/Local port sites to other interests.

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