News Release Archive
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--MANN WELCOMES MARINE FEES PROGRESS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Changes to the Canadian Coast Guard's marine service fees for the
second year of cost recovery show important progress over past
year, said Richie Mann, Nova Scotia's minister of economic
development and tourism.
Mr. Mann was commenting on changes released today by the coast
guard which outline a revised method of recovering the costs
associated with providing aid to navigation effective July 1. The
revisions include a zonal fee structure for the Maritimes.
"Finally, we are moving in the direction of a user-fee approach,"
said Mr. Mann. "Since the beginning of this debate, we have
argued that the fee structure should be such that those who use
coast guard services should pay in proportion to their use.
"The zonal fee structure is a step in that direction and
recognizes the considerable natural economic advantages of Nova
Scotia's ports."
Despite the progress, Mr. Mann said, much work remains to be
done.
"The federal government must follow through on its commitment to
an appropriate fee structure for icebreaking as part of this
initiative," he said. "We will continue to work closely with the
Maritime Seacoast Advisory Board and other stakeholders to ensure
that users of Nova Scotia ports are treated fairly."
The coast guard instituted fees in 1996 to help cover the costs
of maintaining aids to navigation and icebreaking. When first
introduced, Nova Scotia's shipping community expressed discontent
over the "blanket" approach to fees and asked for the adoption of
a user-fee approach.
"The province has been actively involved since the beginning of
this initiative, first to ensure that Nova Scotians were
adequately represented in the consultation process and then to
work toward a fair and equitable fee structure," said Wade
Elliott, executive director with the Halifax-Dartmouth Port
Development.
-30-
Contact: Angela Poirier
Economic Development and Tourism
902-424-1593
trp June 27, 1997 - 5:20 p.m.
