No. P6/01
For release July 26, 2001

VICTORIA, B.C. –– Environment Minister David Anderson and MP (Victoria), on behalf of Transport Minister David   Collenette, today announced the official transfer of eleven British Columbia port facilities to local interests. The transfer agreements include a total contribution of $2,235,600 from the National Marine Policy’s Divestiture Fund to offset the initial operating costs at the port facilities. The port facilities are located on the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and Northern B.C. Since 1997, the federal government has transferred over 30 regional port facilities into local hands in British Columbia

The eleven port facilities officially transferred today include Eastbourne, Gambier Harbour, Halfmoon Bay, Halkett Bay, Keats Landing, Port Graves and Vaucroft to the Sunshine Coast Regional District, Port Renfrew to the Port Renfrew Community Dock Society, Friendly Cove to the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation, Horseshoe Bay to the District of West Vancouver, and Takla Landing to Takla Trading Post Limited.

"The Sunshine Coast Regional District, the Port Renfrew Community Dock Society, the Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation, the District of West Vancouver and Takla Trading Post Limited are 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."

The Sunshine Coast Regional District receives a contribution of $1,050,000 for repairs and ongoing maintenance at their seven port facilities. The port facilities include floats, wharves and approaches.

The Port Renfrew Community Dock Society receives a contribution of $400,000 for the Port Renfrew port facility, located on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The port facility includes a 34–metre wharf and a 160–metre approach.

Mowachaht Muchalaht First Nation receives a contribution of $400,000 for the Friendly Cove public port facility, also located on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The port facility includes a wharf and two breakwaters.

The District of West Vancouver receives a contribution of $250,000 for the Horseshoe Bay port facility, which includes a wharf, a shed, an approach and three floats.

Takla Trading Post Limited receives a contribution of $135,600 for the Takla Landing public port facility, on Takla Lake in northern British Columbia. The port facility includes a 50–metre wharf and a 15–metre float.

"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."

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 eleven public port facilities transferred were 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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Contact: Rod Nelson, Communications, Vancouver, (604) 666–1675

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