New Democrat Yvon Godin Supports International Longshoremen's Association - November 24, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 24, 2009

NEW DEMOCRAT YVON GODIN SUPPORTS
INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
ILA appeals to the Transport Minister to intervene in the Long Wharf project

OTTAWA –Irving Oil has struck a sweetheart deal with New Brunswick’s Saint John Port Authority that will give the company a $57-million section of waterfront for a mere $11.2 million, said New Democrat Yvon Godin (Acadie-Bathurst).

The deal would allow Irving Oil to exchange a contaminated site, the Lantic Sugar refinery, purchased for $1.2 million, for a section of Long Wharf, where the company would build its headquarters. The rest of Long Wharf would be leased to Irving Oil for 99 years at a cost of $10 million. Long Wharf is appraised at more than $57 million. As the property belongs to the federal government, the Saint John Port Authority must obtain its approval before proceeding with the exchange.

However, the Department of Transport cannot approve the agreement since it violates several provisions of the Canada Marine Act.

“The deal between Irving Oil and the Saint John Port Authority does not meet the criteria for approval established by the current Minister of Transport and his predecessor,” said Pat Riley of Local 273 of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA).

“It will eliminate the property’s basic assets used for port activities, and it doesn’t meet environmental standards since the Lantic site is contaminated,” said Mr. Riley.

Construction of Irving Oil’s headquarters has already begun on the Long Wharf site without Transport Canada approval. The Minister has not moved to stop construction despite many requests from the ILA.

“Irving Oil has managed to extend its reach all the way to Ottawa and impose its will on the Minister of Transport. It’s unbelievable but not surprising,” said Yvon Godin, MP for Acadie–Bathurst. “The Minister is doing nothing to block this illegal construction project or to notify the parties that the agreement can’t be approved because it contravenes the Canada Marine Act.”

The ILA and Mr. Godin have tried repeatedly to contact the Transport Minister for his position on the agreement. They have also notified him that construction has already begun on Irving Oil’s Long Wharf headquarters, but neither the Minister nor the government has halted the work.