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SYDNEY, N.S. Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, is
participating today in festivities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) College. The festivities, taking place over the August 12-14 weekend, include today’s christening of a training vessel, the Cap Percé, and dedication of the College library to former CCG Commissioner John Adams.
"The Canadian Coast Guard College has a proud history of providing first-rate maritime training to young Canadians as well as students from abroad," Minister Regan said. "Graduates of the College are recognized and respected around the world. I congratulate the Coast Guard College for the contribution it has made to maritime safety over the last forty years."
The College was established in 1965 with the mandate to provide marine engineering and navigation officers for the Canadian Coast Guard. Today, located on a different site, it has become one of the most modern, state-of-the-art marine colleges in the world.
"The College has played an important role in the maritime training world. It is not only Canadian Coast Guard ships that have benefited but also other government departments, the private sector as well as international maritime organizations," said Kate Fawkes, Acting Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.
In addition to its officer cadet program, the College provides professional training to Coast Guard employees in areas that include marine communications and traffic services and rescue and environmental response. The recently opened Marine Maintenance and Equipment Training Centre provides instruction on the electronic, navigational and communications systems essential for mariners to navigate safely in Canadian waterways and to operate the Coast Guard fleet.
"The Canadian Coast Guard has always been well respected by the Canadian public, in large part because our people perform their jobs so well. That is the result of good training, and the College has provided much of that instruction," said Captain René Grenier, Director, Canadian Coast Guard College.
In addition to Canadian students, the Coast Guard College also trains students from Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, for an average total of 40 students graduating each year. The CCGC employs approximately 150 staff.
Current and former staff, graduates and their families, along with Coast Guard employees are taking part in the celebrations being held this weekend at the College.
A fact sheet on the Canadian Coast Guard College is attached.
Additional information on the Canadian Coast Guard College and the 40th anniversary celebrations may be found at
www.cgc.gc.ca
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 990-7537
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Brenda MacQueen
Canadian Coast Guard College
(902) 564-3660, ext. 1111 |
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NR-HQ-05-73E |
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