Port of Liverpool, Nova Scotia transferred to the Province of Nova Scotia - Building strong communities through local port ownership

LIVERPOOL, NS, June 8, 2016 /CNW/ - Member of Parliament for South Shore–St. Margarets, Bernadette Jordan, on behalf of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, today announced the transfer of the Port of Liverpool to the Province of Nova Scotia under the Government of Canada Ports Asset Transfer Program.

The property transferred includes a breakwater and submerged and infilled waterlots, including a portion of the former Bowater Mersey facility.

This is the first port being transferred under the Ports Asset Transfer Program since its launch in April 2015. The Program's objective is to facilitate the transfer of 50 Transport Canada-administered port facilities to local interests.

New ownership can help these facilities thrive and contribute to economic growth, jobs and investments in the community. New operators may also have greater flexibility to expand or improve port facilities for continued marine operations or for alternate uses that meet local needs.

Quotes

"Local port ownership opens up new commercial possibilities that allow port facilities to reach their full potential and maximize their contribution to economic growth, job creation and investments in local communities. The transfer of the Port of Liverpool marks a significant step toward this area again becoming a thriving centre of marine industry."

Bernadette Jordan
Member of Parliament for South Shore–St. Margarets

"This agreement between Transport Canada and the province to open up the Port means job opportunities for Nova Scotians. By collaborating to create conditions for success, the path is cleared for private business to bring economic benefits to Queens County and beyond."

Honourable Geoff MacLellan
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal

Quick Facts

• Since introducing the National Marine Policy in 1995, the Government of Canada has transferred ownership and operations of 500 port facilities to interested parties across the country.
• Launched in April 2015, the Ports Asset Transfer Program aims to facilitate the transfer of the remaining 50 port facilities in Transport Canada's inventory to local interests.
• With the Liverpool transfer, forty-nine ports remain to be transferred under the Program. 
• The Program aims to sell or divest Transport Canada-administered port facilities to interested parties, namely:
  • Other federal departments and crown corporations;
  • Provincial governments and municipalities; and
  • The general public and Indigenous groups.

Associated Links

• Ports Asset Transfer Program (PATP)

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SOURCE Transport Canada

Delphine Denis, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-991-0700; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055, [email protected]