News Release Archive
TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNICATIONS--MARINE POLICY CHANGES
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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.
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Contact: Donna McCready 902-424-8687
trp Dec. 11, 1995