No. P05/01
For Release April 11, 2001

FEDERAL MINISTERS ANNOUNCE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE
VICTORIA AND ESQUIMALT HARBOURS ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

VICTORIA, B.C. –– Transport Minister David Collenette, together with Environment Minister David Anderson, M.P.(Victoria), today announced the successful completion of the first year of Transport Canada’s Victoria and Esquimalt Harbours Environmental Program.

"Transport Canada has invested $5.5 million to date in conducting environmental assessments, remedial plans and implementing remedial actions on its properties in Victoria and Esquimalt Harbours," said Minister Collenette. "We are continuing the process of making Victoria Harbour cleaner."

There has been extensive commercial and industrial activity in Victoria and Esquimalt Harbours in the past. These activities, combined with urban upland development within the harbour basin, have had a significant impact on the environmental condition of the properties.

"Over the next four years, Transport Canada’s Victoria and Esquimalt Harbours Environmental Program will complete all ongoing studies and remedial plans as well as initiate remedial actions at the remaining sites." said Mr. Collenette. "Transport Canada will undertake remedial planning and implementation in consultation with adjacent property owners as well as environmental agencies, including Environment Canada."

Transport Canada is conducting this work as part of the preparation for divestiture, as well as to meet its commitments in the Environmental Management System (EMS) –– part of the Sustainable Transportation Strategy –– and to support the objectives of the Government of Canada that were outlined in the Greening of Government Initiative and Environmental Stewardship policy documents.

Transport Canada works with a number of agencies, including the Victoria and Esquimalt Harbours Environmental Action Plan (VEHEAP), to initiate and coordinate the efforts of various levels of government, the local community, and businesses within the harbour basin.

"The environmental information being collected by Transport Canada provides, for the first time, an excellent and comprehensive understanding of the baseline conditions in the harbours," said Mr. Anderson. "The data will be made available to the local community, schools and universities, as well as other levels of government. It will provide a significant legacy of sound environmental management from the Government of Canada to the local community and the new harbour entity."

Many of the studies and projects are being conducted by local firms from Victoria, Vancouver Island and British Columbia. This provides an opportunity to showcase innovative environmental methods and technologies that are in use, or being considered for use, in other harbours in the Pacific Northwest and across Canada.

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, Transport Canada Communications, (604) 666–1675

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