No. Q 012/07
For release October 5, 2007

TRANSFER OF THE TROIS-PISTOLES AND LES ESCOUMINS WHARVES

TROIS-PISTOLES – The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the transfer of ownership of the Trois-Pistoles and Les Escoumins wharves to the Régie intermunicipale des infrastructures portuaires de Trois-Pistoles et Les Escoumins.

"This transfer was one of my priorities and it is by working together, in partnership and in a spirit of open federalism, that we have made this project a reality," said Minister Cannon.

In addition to the transfer of ownership, the Government of Canada is providing more than $15 million over 10 years to the Régie intermunicipale des infrastructures portuaires de Trois-Pistoles et Les Escoumins to restore the infrastructure and to maintain and operate the installations. The transferred property includes the Trois-Pistoles and Les Escoumins wharf infrastructure as well as the landing stages.

"During my meetings with individuals from the Régie intermunicipale, I've learned that they have a fervent desire to become owners of the Trois-Pistoles and Les Escoumins wharves to ensure their development and future," added Minister Cannon. "The funding confirmed today will be used to rebuild port infrastructure and undertake projects that will benefit the entire region's economy."

The Régie intermunicipale des infrastructures portuaires de Trois-Pistoles et Les Escoumins is made up of municipalities from Trois-Pistoles, Notre-Dame des Neiges, Les Escoumins and the Innus Essipit First Nation. It was legally constituted in June 2006. The official transfer follows the acceptance of the transfer offer announced on April 13, 2007, and the order from the Quebec government received on June 27, 2007.

The transfer of the Trois-Pistoles and Les Escoumins wharves to the Régie intermunicipale is part of Transport Canada's Port Divestiture Program, which was renewed in the March 2007 federal budget. This program was created in 1995 under the National Marine Policy. Its purpose is to transfer regional and local harbour facilities to other interests.

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