No. A003/06
For release March 27, 2006

PORT OF DALHOUSIE OFFICIALLY
TRANSFERRED TO LOCAL INTERESTS

DALHOUSIE, NB – Today the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, announced the transfer of ownership of the port of Dalhousie to the Port of Dalhousie Inc.

“The Port of Dalhousie is to be congratulated for joining the move towards a new era of port management,” said Mr. Cannon. “Having this facility run by local people, who best know its role in the community and its potential for growth, will allow it to function in a more commercial and cost effective manner.”

Under the transfer agreement, Port of Dalhousie Inc. acquired the site from Transport Canada, and is subject to operating conditions including the facility’s continued operation as a public port for a 4-year period. The transfer agreement includes a financial contribution of $3.5 million from the Government of Canada, to be used exclusively for operational and maintenance costs over the next 10 years.

Port of Dalhousie Inc. is a locally owned not-for-profit corporation, sponsored by area longshoremen. The Town of Dalhousie and all major port users are supportive of the transfer of the port property to Port of Dalhousie Inc.

The transferred property, located on the south shore of the Bay of Chaleur at the mouth of the Restigouche River, includes 39.66 hectares of land and 200 hectares of waterlot. Both the East Bay Marine Terminal and the West Wharf are included as part of the transfer.

“The National Marine Policy enables ports to respond more effectively to the needs of their customers,” added Mr. Cannon. “The better use of transportation infrastructure in this manner will ultimately help increase trade, economic development and tourism benefits in the region.”

The Port of Dalhousie was one of Transport Canada's Regional/Local ports, which range from large facilities that support significant local and regional commercial activity to very small facilities with little or no commercial traffic.

Transport Canada’s Port Divestiture Program was established as part of the National Marine Policy, with the objective of transferring Regional/Local port sites to other interests. In some cases, ports are being transferred as operating ports; in other cases, Crown land and facilities are being transferred to interested parties for other uses.

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