OSHAWA, ON,
July 16
- Today the Government of
Canada
announced it is investing in major
improvements to the Port of Oshawa
that will boost the port as an
attraction for families and
visitors, and support new jobs and
business opportunities in the
region.
The Honourable Beverley J. Oda,
Minister of International
Cooperation and Member of Parliament
for Durham, along with
Dr. Colin
Carrie, Member of Parliament
for Oshawa and Parliamentary
Secretary to the Minister of Health,
Mayor John
Gray of the City of Oshawa
and Mr. Gary
Valcour, chair of the Oshawa
Harbour Commission, made the
announcement.
"By investing in this important
infrastructure project, our
government is revitalizing the
Oshawa Harbour and creating jobs in
Oshawa and Ontario," said Minister
Oda. "This project will lead the way
for residents to enjoy the new,
mixed-use vision for the
waterfront."
"This harbour area is an
important economic and cultural
asset that significantly contributes
to the quality of life of the people
of Oshawa and the Durham region,"
said MP Carrie. "This contribution
will make a new vision for the port
a reality, and it will create jobs
right here for families and
businesses at a time when Canada's
economy is still fragile."
The Government of
Canada
is investing
$10.2 million to transfer the
port's industrial activities from
the west wharf to the east wharf and
for new fencing and landscaping to
ensure people who use the city's
parks and nature trails are a safe
distance from the port's heavy
industrial operations.
"After 40 years of political
stagnation, the people of Oshawa can
finally anticipate the rejuvenation
of our waterfront," stated
Mayor Gray.
"This announcement allows the City
of Oshawa to move forward with our
vision of developing a
people-friendly waterfront that
attracts new residential and
commercial opportunities while
respecting the operations of Port
Oshawa."
The announcement coincides with
the successful completion of an
agreement between the Government of
Canada,
the City of Oshawa and the Oshawa
Harbour Commission on land ownership
issues. The agreement will create
certainty for the city, the users
and stakeholders of the Port of
Oshawa, and achieve a balanced use
for the Oshawa Harbour area.
"We are extremely pleased with
the successful completion of these
negotiations," said
Mr. Valcour.
"This agreement heralds a
renaissance in the life of the port
and offers a strong message of
federal government support for an
industrial and mixed-use port in
Oshawa providing current and
prospective port users the certainty
needed for continued growth and
investment, which in turn means more
jobs and greater prosperity for the
citizens of Oshawa and the region."
Under the terms of the settlement
agreement, the Crown is:
-
offering to transfer certain
port lands to the city for a
nominal amount;
-
providing
$200,000 to the Oshawa
Harbour Commission for
landscaping and fencing to
screen the public from port
operations;
-
contributing
$10
million to the Oshawa
Harbour Commission to facilitate
the transfer of the more
industrial uses from the west
wharf to the east wharf;
-
offering to return the marina
lands to the city once
environmental mitigation work is
complete; and
-
acquiring certain city and
Oshawa Harbour Commission lands,
for a nominal amount, to be used
for port purposes. All port
lands will continue to be
managed by the Oshawa Harbour
Commission.
The Government of
Canada,
the City of Oshawa and the Oshawa
Harbour Commission have worked
collaboratively to reach this
agreement that will allow all
parties to achieve their shared and
respective objectives while
responding to local and regional
needs for a revitalized harbour.
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