No. P04/01
For release April 11, 2001

FOUR B.C. PORT FACILITIES OFFICIALLY TRANSFERRED TO LOCAL INTERESTS

VICTORIA, B.C. ––  Transport Minister David Collenette, together with Environment Minister David Anderson, M.P. (Victoria), today announced the official transfer of four ports in British Columbia to local interests. The Port Washington and Sturdies Bay public port facilities are being transferred to the Capital Regional District (CRD), the Kuper Island public port facility to the Penelakut Development Society, and the Harrison Lake breakwater to the District of Kent.

The transfer agreements include a total $1,491,700 contribution from the National Marine Policy’s Divestiture Fund to offset the initial operating costs for the port facilities.

• The Capital Regional District (CRD) receives a contribution of $238,000 for the Port Washington port facility, which includes an approach, two floats, and a wharf. The CRD also receives a contribution of $700,000 for the Sturdies Bay port facility, which includes an approach, a float, and a wharf.
• The Penelakut Development Society receives a $304,000 contribution for the Kuper Island port facility, which includes a wharf and a float.
• The District of Kent receives a $249,733 contribution for the Harrison Lake breakwater.

"The Capital Regional District, the Penelakut Development Society, and the District of Kent are to be congratulated for joining the move towards a new era of port management," said Mr. Collenette. "Having these facilities run by local people who best know their role in the community – and their potential for growth – will allow them to function in a more commercial and cost–effective manner."

Under the National Marine Policy, announced in December 1995, regional/local port sites 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. There were 17 regional/local ports transferred in B.C. last fiscal year.

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

The Port Washington, Sturdies Bay, Kuper Island port facilities and the Breakwater at Harrison Lake were Transport Canada’s regional/local port sites, 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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Contact: Rod Nelson, Communications, Vancouver, (604) 666–1675

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