News Release Archive
TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNICATIONS--MARINE POLICY CHANGES ------------------------------------------------------------ Transportation and Communications Minister Richie Mann has cautioned that imposition of across the board marine service fees to all shipping lines, regardless of port services used would "seriously distort the concept of user pay, and serve to place coastal ports at a competitive disadvantage to inland ports." In a letter to federal Fisheries Minister Brian Tobin, Mr. Mann said that, while Nova Scotia supports the general concept of payment for services, shippers using Halifax or the Strait of Canso should not be required to pay for costs of dredging and ice-breaking. He noted that those ports, and the shipping lines that use them, should be required to pay only for those services that they use. "Fair payment for service received is certainly reasonable. We feel it would not be fair, however, that they be required to pay for services that, not only do they not use, but for services that actually diminish their competitive advantage against inland ports -- such as ice-breaking," Mr. Mann said. "The Government of Canada has recognized, in both the National Transportation Act and the proposed Canada Transportation Act, that transportation is a key to regional economic development. Any change in fee structures that would prevent coastal ports from capitalizing on our natural advantages would stand in direct and shameful contradiction of that principle," Mr. Mann said. The province has contacted Nova Scotian members of parliament, and other Atlantic ministers of transportation, urging them to support the region's Ports in their efforts for equitable user fees. -30- Contact: Donna McCready 902-424-8687 trp Dec. 11, 1995