On behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, Dr. James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo—Alberni, announced the transfer of ownership of three public port facilities to the Strathcona Regional District. The port facilities include Owen Bay on Sonora Island, Port Neville on Johnstone Strait, and Surge Narrows on Read Island. Under the transfer agreement, the Strathcona Regional District will receive a contribution of $2,894,500 to cover operational costs and maintain the infrastructure for all three port facilities. The agreement is subject to continuing operations of the facilities as public ports for a three-year period. Quick Facts
- Since 1996, Transport Canada has divested over 490 ports under the Port Divestiture Program. The program transfers ownership and operation of TC-owned ports to local interests who are better positioned to operate the ports in an efficient manner that is responsive to local needs.