Transport Canada and the Corporation de gestion du port de Baie-Comeau have reached a common understanding regarding the future costs associated with the operating of the Port of Baie-Comeau, an essential step in the negotiating process towards a future transfer agreement.
This is aligned with the government’s goal to transfer local port assets to new owners in order to foster the continued sustainability of these facilities and a development better adapted to regional realities, Transport Canada explained.
Canada’ ports contribute to economic prosperity and the creation of jobs in the communities and regions they serve. Transferring local ports makes it possible to more fully develop their potential based on the needs of current users, develop new activities and involve users and partners from the area in the management of these ports.
Our government understands the importance of the port for the economic development of the entire region. I am pleased that we have reached a common understanding towards a transfer of the port to the Corporation de gestion du port de Baie-Comeau. This is an important step. We share the same goal that the community benefits from a future transfer,
…said Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport.
Launched in April 2015, the aim of the Ports Asset Transfer Program (PATP) is to facilitate the transfer of the 50 remaining port assets in the Transport Canada inventory to other entities.
The goal is to sell or transfer port assets administered by Transport Canada to interested parties, namely Crown corporations and other federal departments, provincial governments and municipalities, non-profit organizations, the general public as well as Indigenous groups.
The Baie-Comeau port assets are located on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence, near the mouth of the Manicouagan River.
The Port is open to navigation year-round, enabling the transshipment of more than 535,000 tons of cargo on average every year.
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