No. P14/01
For release October 16, 2001
ESPERANZA PUBLIC PORT FACILITY OFFICIALLY TRANSFERRED TO LOCAL INTEREST
ESPERANZA, B.C. — Environment
Minister David Anderson and MP (Victoria), on behalf of Transport
Minister David Collenette, today announced the official transfer of the
Esperanza public port facility, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, to Shantymen
International, the adjacent property owner. The transfer agreement includes a $400,000
contribution from the National Marine Policy’s Divestiture Fund to
offset Shantymen
International’s initial operating costs for the port
facility. The Esperanza port facility includes two wharves, two approaches,
three floats and two sheds.
"Shantymen International
is to be congratulated for joining the move towards a new era of port
management," said Mr. Anderson. "Having these facilities run by local people
who know their role in the community — and the potential for growth — will
allow them to function in a more commercial and cost-effective manner."
Mr. Anderson also announced today the official
transfer of the Sointula public port facility, on Malcolm Island, and the
Hopkins Landing public port facility, on the Sunshine Coast, to local interests.
Since 1997, the federal government has transferred over 30 regional port
facilities into local hands in British Columbia.
Under the National Marine Policy, announced in
December 1995, regional/local port facilities are being transferred to
other interests over a six‑year 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 Esperanza public port facility 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.
Funding
for this project was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore
built into the existing financial framework.
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Rod Nelson, Communications, Vancouver, (604) 666-1675
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