Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea announced Friday that both agencies will remain in the capital city once they are moved from their current waterfront locations.
The relocation of the DFO building at the bottom of Queen Street clears the way for the construction of a major convention centre adjacent to the Delta Prince Edward.
That project has been a priority for Premier Robert Ghiz for some months. The premier has met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the issue several times and the eastern relocation of DFO on the Charlottetown waterfront clears a major hurdle holding up the project.
It is believed that an announcement on the convention centre could come early next week.
Charlottetown, Summerside, Souris, Georgetown and Borden-Carleton had all voiced interest in the DFO and Coast Guard operations when it was announced they would be leaving their present Charlottetown waterfront location to make room for a new convention centre.
Construction of the centre had been expected to begin this past spring with the moving date for the Coast Guard and DFO operations slated for the end of April.
Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee, who could not be reached for comment Friday, told The Guardian recently that he was concerned about the economic impact of losing more federal government employees.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has approximately 60 employees at the Canadian Coast Guard Base in Charlottetown. They are employed with the Canadian Coast Guard, in the department’s area office, and in conservation and protection.
After careful consideration of all the options presented, it was determined that a relocation within the greater Charlottetown area was the most cost effective. - Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea
“After careful consideration of all the options presented, it was determined that a relocation within the greater Charlottetown area was the most cost effective,” Shea said in a statement.
“Moving away from the current area would have involved substantial costs for relocating staff. DFO remains committed to delivering high quality services in Prince Edward Island.”
Details about the location and timing of the move to new premises are currently being worked out. In the meantime, DFO will continue to deliver its services from the current location in Charlottetown.
Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), as the custodian (owner) of the Charlottetown CCG Base, has been working closely with DFO as it explores options for relocation from that property.
With DFO’s decision to relocate its operations, PWGSC can now move forward to declare the property surplus to its requirements. There are a number of due diligence activities required by federal policy that must be completed prior to disposing of the property.
Subject to the successful completion of these activities and negotiations with the Province of Prince Edward Island, PWGSC anticipates it will be able to complete a transfer of the property to the province.
