May 5, 2005

New Hovercraft for St. Lawrence

Twenty Year Old Refit for Richmond

OTTAWA—“Coast Guard Commissioner John Adams was forced to admit to the House of Commons Fisheries Committee that a new hovercraft was approved for ice breaking duties in the Quebec Region months after a retired passenger ferry with 14,000 hours of service was refitted for search and rescue duties on the West Coast,” said John Cummins, M.P. (Delta-Richmond East).

This admission contradicted the promise made when the old ferry arrived on the West Coast in the summer of 2004.  At that time the government claimed the old vessel was an interim measure until money could be found for a new hovercraft for B.C.

Estimates tabled in Parliament now show $23.4 million was set aside for the purchase of a hovercraft for the Province of Quebec.   

Cummins challenged the Commissioner on why $23.4 million was required for a new Quebec hovercraft:

·        He revealed that Hoverwork in the United Kingdom, the firm undertaking the refit, had advised that a new state-of-the-art hovercraft would cost approximately $10 million and that a spares package would cost an additional $2.3 million.

·        Cummins also made the Commissioner aware that the newest version of the British designed hovercraft is being constructed in Seattle for the State of Alaska at a cost of $11 million. Work started on the Alaskan hovercraft early this year.  It will be in service next year.

The Commissioner claimed the reason the government was paying twice the actual cost of a new hovercraft was because the purchase price included spare parts and the cost of training the crew.  Cummins challenged his outrageous assertion, noting the Coast Guard already operates two similar hovercraft on the St. Lawrence for icebreaking and other seasonal duties.

“Federal Liberals have some explaining to do,” said Cummins.  “Why has $23.4 million been set aside to purchase an $11 million hovercraft?  Why was $10 million spent on a used hovercraft when a new one could be purchased for $11 million?  Given the old ferry for B.C. was an interim measure, when can B.C. expect to get the new hovercraft it was promised?”  

Contact:  John Cummins, M.P.

(613) 992-2957, (cell) (604) 970-0937, (604) 940-8040

or www.johncummins.ca