Fisheries and Aquaculture
March 31, 2010Government of Canada Transfers the
Bay D'Espoir Properties
to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada's Transport Minister John Baird today announced
the
transfer of the Bay d'Espoir properties to the Province of Newfoundland
and Labrador. This transfer was made possible under Transport Canada's
Port Divestiture Program.
"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring our
ports
are managed in the best interests of the local community," said Minister
Baird. "With this transfer, the Province of
Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to manage the Bay d'Espoir
properties by working directly with the residents in these coastal
communities."
The property includes 20 square miles of harbour beds in Bay d'Espoir,
1.5 square miles of upland property at Swanger Cove, and wharves in
Milltown and St. Alban's. The transfer agreement includes a Government
of Canada contribution of $3.075 million to be used exclusively for the
operation and maintenance of the facilities.
"Our government is pleased to take ownership of the Bay d'Espoir
properties," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries
and Aquaculture for Newfoundland and Labrador. "We are pleased that we
are now in a position to make decisions at a provincial level on the
best use of these properties for the needs of the communities."
Part of the National Marine Policy, Transport Canada's Port
Divestiture Program was established to transfer regional or local port
sites to other interests. Transport Canada has program authority until
March 2012.
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