Budget 2005 announces strategic investments in marine infrastructure

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, said today that Budget 2005 reflects the importance of the province�s ferry system and investment in marine infrastructure.

"We recognize that ferries and marine infrastructure are very important to the people who use them everyday. These strategic investments will enable us to provide for a stable ferry service over the long term," he said.

Budget 2005 has allocated $2.97 million for refits to the MV Sir Robert Bond and MV Northern Ranger, which are part of the Labrador Marine Service. Another $4 million has been budgeted for annual and mid-life vessel refits for ferries that serve the island, representing a $1.6 million increase over the 2004-05 budget year. The overall increase for the province is $3.1 million.

Budget 2005 also provides for the maintenance and upkeep of ferry terminals. "As part of government�s commitment to maintain our infrastructure, my department has budgeted $1 million in new funding for capital improvements to the province�s ferry terminals," the minister said. "This will enable us to provide quality service to ferry users throughout the province, while ensuring that our terminals will be taken care of over the long term."

Following up on government�s commitment to address the aging ferry fleet, $500,000 has been budgeted in new funding for planning work toward a Vessel Replacement Strategy.

"The Williams government believes in investing in our infrastructure in ways that will provide the most benefits over the long term," Minister Rideout said. "We are making strategic investments in our marine infrastructure, as we guide the province toward economic and fiscal stability, while providing for the critical services that the public depend on."

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3015, 690-8403

2005 03 21                     3:45 p.m.