St. Catharines, Ontarion City Council Votes to Support Local Marine Jobs

(Niagara At Large is posting this January 10 media release from the office of St. Catharines Conservative MP Rick Dykstra for your information. It speaks to the New York State government’s plans to introduce legislation for controlling the dumping of ballast waters in the Great Lakes with possible invasive species in them and the concern major shipping companies in Canada have that this legislation could hurt their business.)

St. Catharines– City councilors last night voted unanimously to support a resolution opposing New York State’s “unachievable” incoming ballast water regulations, urging the American and Canadian governments to take all possible measure to stop them from being implemented as proposed.

St. Catharines, Ontario federal MP Rick Dykstra.

 Stephen Brooks, vice-president of the Chamber of Marine Commerce, flanked by St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra, made a presentation to council last night, outlining for councilors how potentially devastating these regulations could be for marine shipping on the St. Lawrence Seaway.  Afterward, he praised council for its support. “We’re pleased that the City of St. Catharines recognizes the potential harm that New York State’s regulations could bring to their city and region and we are hopeful that other Canadian and American cities around the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway will also adopt similar resolutions.”

 MP Dykstra reiterated Brooks’ position, saying the importance of opposing these measures cannot be overstated. “It is imperative that all of us work together to ensure the economic viability of the St. Lawrence Seaway is not compromised by these proposed regulations and I am very glad that the city of St. Catharines has joined in this effort.”

 For more information on this issue, please see:

 http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2011-h111e-6537.htm

 For more information on the Chamber of Marine Commerce, please go to:

 http://www.cmc-ccm.com/about.php

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