No. P010/97
For release April 19, 1997

TRANSPORT MINISTER ANNOUNCES FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE PORTS OF VICTORIA AND ESQUIMALT

VICTORIA -- Transport Minister David Anderson, MP (Victoria), today announced that he is making available to the Victoria Harbour Steering Committee federal funding for the completion of feasibility studies leading to the transfer of the ports of Victoria and Esquimalt to local control. The funding will be provided from Transport Canada's Port Divestiture Fund.

"This funding will allow the committee to make final all aspects leading to the transfer of control of the ports of Victoria and Esquimalt to community stakeholders," said Mr. Anderson. "Once this work is done, the Government of Canada and local officials will be able to reach a final agreement on the transfer of these port sites to a local harbour authority."

The ports of Victoria and Esquimalt are two of more than 200 Regional/Local ports in Canada, which range from operations that support significant local and regional commercial activity to very small facilities with little or no commercial traffic. The National Marine Policy, announced in December 1995, calls for Regional/Local port sites to be transferred to community interests over a six-year period.

In some cases, ports will be transferred as operating ports; in other cases, Crown land and facilities will be transferred to interested parties for other uses. As part of the transfer negotiations, the new owners of Regional/Local ports may seek assistance under the Port Divestiture Fund.

Talks to transfer the ports of Victoria and Esquimalt began July 31, 1996, following the signing of a Letter of Intent by Transport Canada and representatives of the Province of British Columbia, the City of Victoria and community stakeholders.

Transport Canada will continue to regulate the safe, secure and environmentally responsible provision of marine facilities and services under its jurisdiction. The department will also continue to ensure safety and security in Canada's marine sector through regulatory and enforcement processes.

"The National Marine Policy enables ports to respond more effectively to the needs of their customers," said Mr. Anderson. "Making better use of transportation infrastructure in this manner will ultimately provide a boost to trade, tourism and job creation."

Total funding of $314,000 was provided for in the federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This initiative is an example of how the federal government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.

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Contact:

Rod Nelson,
Communications,
(604) 666-1675

David Hurford,
Vancouver Minister's Office, Victoria,
(250) 363-3600

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