The federal and provincial governments had double cause for celebration – officially welcoming the first cruise ship of the 2012 season to Victoria, while highlighting how recent infrastructure investments at Ogden Point are attracting a new class of cruise vessels.
The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Senior Minister Responsible for British Columbia , joined Curtis Grad, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) to kick-off the 2012 cruise season. Today’s arrival marks the first of 229 expected calls from 25 ships in 2012, which will bring more than 475,000 passengers and 200,000 crew to the Greater Victoria region.
“ Canada’s Economic Action Plan continues to deliver results across the country and I’m delighted our investments are paying off here in Victoria ,” said Minister Moore. “ The expanded pier is increasing tourism and providing a significant boost to British Columbia’s economy .”
The governments of Canada and British Columbia partnered with the GVHA to install a mooring dolphin 70 metres from the end of a 240-metre pier at Ogden Point to accommodate larger cruise vessels. Thanks to these investments, a 315-metre vessel capable of carrying 2,850 passengers is confirmed to call on Victoria in 2013. During this cruise season, the longest vessel expected to call on Victoria is 296 metres, with a maximum capacity of 2,600 passengers.
“ Our government is committed to expanding B.C.’s trade gateways to the world, through improved airports, sea ports and border crossings ,” said the Honourable Blair Lekstrom, British Columbia Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure . “ The tourism industry is a key driver in our economy and the Ogden Point terminal expansion will help attract larger ships and more tourists to Victoria .”
“ The support from both governments is critical to ensuring the long-term viability of Ogden Point as a cruise ship facility ,” said Mr. Grad . “ We are committed to managing the growth in a safe and sustainable way .”
The Government of Canada committed $900,000 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF) toward the installation of the mooring dolphin. Under the ISF and Transportation Partnerships
Program, the Province of British Columbia committed $1.5 million to the project, which included dredging along Pier B. GVHA committed just over $1.5 million.
Through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Government of Canada invested over $505 million in more than 440 projects across British Columbia.
Since October 2008, over $5.5 billion has been committed by the province to over 900 infrastructure projects in British Columbia, which has created more than 35,000 jobs over the life of the projects.
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Dredging Today Staff, April 18, 2012;