Forum Provides Blueprint for Federal Action

PREMIER'S OFFICE -Forum Provides Blueprint for Federal Action

Premier John Hamm believes that today's national forum on industrial marine issues is an important step in convincing the federal government of the need for a national shipbuilding policy.

The forum, entitled Charting a Course Towards a Canadian Industrial Marine Policy, attracted over 200 delegates to St. John's, Nfld. Those who attended came from the business and labour organizations most involved in the shipbuilding and marine fabrication industries. Featured speakers included the four Atlantic premiers, Jim Irving of Irving Shipbuilding Inc., Larry LeBlanc of PanCanadian Petroleum Ltd. and Buzz Hargrove of the Canadian Auto Workers.

"This event has sent a clear message, shaped by wide stakeholder input, about the urgent need for Ottawa to establish a comprehensive national shipbuilding policy, a policy to allow the industry to take advantage of many opportunities present in shipbuilding and marine fabrication," said the premier.

"Provinces, business and labour cannot do it without support from the federal government. Ottawa needs to ensure that Canadian shipyards can compete with our heavily subsidized foreign competitors."

A final report, based on forum deliberations, called on the federal government to adopt a national shipbuilding policy focused on greater export financing and loan guarantees; tax write-offs for leasing; and a refundable tax credit. At the forum's conclusion, new federal Industry Minister Brian Tobin announced the formation of a partnership project. It is assigned to implement the forum's recommendations and is expected to report no later than January 15, 2001.

"The federal government is on notice that we expect nothing less than decisive, meaningful action as a result of this forum," said the premier. "More lengthy delay is not acceptable."

Since 1997, Atlantic premiers have pushed the federal government to assist the shipbuilding industry. The Nova Scotia legislature has unanimously adopted several resolutions in favour of a national shipbuilding policy. In the same spirit of non- partisanship, Premier Hamm was accompanied at the forum by Gordon Balser, Minister of Economic Development; Robert Chisholm, NDP Intergovernmental Affairs critic and Wayne Gaudet, interim Liberal leader.

"By working together on this issue, our province's elected officials have put aside other political differences to highlight the importance of this sector of Nova Scotia's economy," said the premier.