No. P01/01
For release January 19, 2001
PUBLIC PORT FACILITY OFFICIALLY TRANSFERRED TO THE CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT
GALIANO ISLAND, B.C. David Anderson, Minister of the Environment and MP
(Victoria), on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, today announced the official
transfer of the Montague Harbour public port facility on Galiano Island to the Capital
Regional District.
The transfer agreement includes a $115,000 contribution from the National Marine
Policy's Divestiture Fund to offset initial operating costs, such as repairs and ongoing
maintenance, for the port facilities. The Montague Harbour port facility includes an
approach and three floats.
"The Capital Regional District is to be congratulated for joining the move towards
a new era of port management," said Mr. Anderson. "Having this facility run
by local people who know the role in the community and the potential for growth
will allow them to function in a more commercial and costeffective manner."
Under the National Marine Policy, announced in December 1995, regional/local port
facilities are being transferred to other interests over a sixyear period ending in March
2002. 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.
"The National Marine Policy enables ports to respond more effectively to the needs
of their customers," said Mr. Collenette. "The better use of the
transportation infrastructure in this manner will ultimately provide a boost to trade,
tourism and job creation."
The Montague Harbour port facility was Transport Canada's regional/local ports site.
Regional/local ports range from large facilities that support significant local and
regional commercial activity to very small facilities with little or no commercial
traffic.
Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore
built into the existing financial framework.
30
Contact: Rod Nelson, Communications, Vancouver, (604) 6661675
Transport Canada is online at http://www.tc.gc.ca/.
Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and
keep uptodate on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons
with visual disabilities.
|