Delegation takes its case to Ottawa
By TOM PETERS
July 7, 2010
The federal government remains uncommitted to a funding request from the Sydney Marine Group that would help finance the dredging of the entrance channel to Sydney harbour.
A delegation of Cape Breton politicians and businesspeople led by Nova Scotia deputy premier Frank Corbett, MLA for Cape Breton Centre, met in Ottawa recently with Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Minister Keith Ashfield and Defence Minister Peter MacKay, responsible for Nova Scotia, seeking $19 million or 50 per cent of the $38-million project cost.
They came away empty-handed but with a promise to continue dialogue.
“Ministers Ashfield and MacKay had a productive and positive meeting with the delegation from Nova Scotia,” said Erin Filliter, spokesperson for Mr. Ashfield, in an email. “It is clear that both levels of government are committed to working together on this important project for the people of Cape Breton. No decisions were made about funding.”
The Nova Scotia government said it will commit $15.2 million to the project if the federal government puts in its share.
The project would dredge the 8.5-kilometre channel to a depth of 17 metres. The increased depth would allow deeper-draft bulk cargo and container vessels to sail to Sydney. It would also provide an important piece of infrastructure for other potential industries such as shipbuilding and a new container terminal.
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has committed $2 million to the project and Nova Scotia Power $1 million.
Boskalis International, of the Netherlands, is the favoured bidder on the project. Without the federal money, however, the project remains stalled. There also is concern about weather conditions if funding is approved only later this summer and the project then drags into the winter months.
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