Money will be used to renew ferry fleet, shore facilities
By TOM PETERS
July 8, 2010
A half-billion-dollar investment in Marine Atlantic means the federal government is showing real commitment to the Atlantic Canada ferry service, said Gordon MacLeod, a municipal councillor in North Sydney, Cape Breton.
“It really gives me faith they are committed to the service,” Mr. MacLeod said following Ottawa’s announcement that it will spend $521 million to revitalize and renew Marine Atlantic’s fleet and shore facilities.
The funds, announced July 5, will allow Marine Atlantic to invest nearly $84 million over five years to complete upgrades to terminal and port infrastructure at North Sydney, Port aux Basques and Argentia, including the construction of a new terminal building in North Sydney. The improvements are expected to better accommodate customers and enhance safety and security.
Of the remaining new funds, $308 million will be put towards refits and upgrades of Marine Atlantic’s current vessel assets and the recently announced chartering of two vessels from the Stena Group of Companies.
The federal government said in May that it had set aside funds for two charters to replace MV Caribou and MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood.
“This $521-million commitment to upgrade and make the service more efficient and provide 45 per cent more capacity to what they are carrying now speaks volumes for the future of Marine Atlantic,” Mr. MacLeod said.
The ultimate dream would be to have two new ships built in Canada, Mr. MacLeod said, but under the circumstances Stena is “a proven and credible company.”
“The Government of Canada’s significant investment in Marine Atlantic will enable the corporation to move forward with its plan to renew the ferry service,” said Marine Atlantic chair Rob Crosbie. “This is the first time in many years that the organization has received a commitment of five-year funding.
“It provides the corporation with the ability to plan a multi-year investment strategy that will result in the renewal of its fleet, terminal and other shore facilities, thereby improving the quality and reliability of its services.”