No. H007/01
For release January 25, 2001

APPOINTMENT TO VANCOUVER PORT AUTHORITY

OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced the appointment of Audrey Sojonky of Vancouver, B.C., as the federal government appointee to the board of directors of the Vancouver Port Authority, effective January 23, 2001.

"Ms. Sojonky's experience and community involvement will serve her well as she takes up her duties on the board of directors of the port authority," said Mr. Collenette.

Ms. Sojonky has extensive experience in business and marketing, education, and policy research with organizations such as Theta Systems Corporation, the Educational Research Institute of B.C, and the Department of Education, Saskatchewan. She is involved extensively with her community, particularly the Ukrainian community, and has served on the boards of the United Way, the Vancouver Public Aquarium and the Vancouver Foundation. Ms. Sojonky received her BA from the University of Manitoba. She has most recently served as a policy coordinator for David Anderson, Minister of the Environment and MP (Victoria).

The Port of Vancouver, which has a natural deep-water harbour, is the largest port in Canada. Its activities include cargo terminals, cruise terminals, industries requiring tidewater access, shipyards, tugboats, railways, trucks, shipping agents, freight forwarders, suppliers, builders, and administrative agencies. Annually, the Port of Vancouver handles more than 70 million metric tones of cargo and facilitates trade with over 90 nations.

In becoming a port authority, the Port of Vancouver has benefited from greater management flexibility, including increased freedom to develop contracts and borrow money from commercial lenders.

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Contact:

Sue Ronald,
Office of the Minister, Ottawa,
(613) 991-0700

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