News Release
Fitzgerald Pledges Support to Shipyard Workers
(Monday, October 16/2000)-- Mayor Walter Fitzgerald has pledged his support to Halifax shipyard workers in their effort to convince the federal government to establish a National Shipbuilding Policy.
In a letter to Les Holloway, Executive Director of the Marine Workers Federation, Mayor Fitzgerald said the shipbuilding industry injects millions of dollars, directly and indirectly, into the municipal economy each year and therefore, shipyard workers deserve the support of their community on this issue.
The letter states " Canada enjoys an excellent reputation around the world for producing on time/on budget vessels for both defense and commercial purposes. In our region alone, the Halifax Shipyards has been involved in the construction of offshore drill rigs, offshore supply vessels, Canadian defense frigates, Canadian military patrol vessels and a host of other vessels, as well as providing first-rate ship repair work on vessels from just about every country in the world."
The four Atlantic Premiers, government, industry and labour officials are scheduled to attend a national forum on the future of the Canadian Marine Industrial Policy in St. John's, Newfoundland, later this week.
Mayor Fitzgerald said " Canadian-built vessels are second to none in the world and the Government of Canada must recognize this with the introduction of a national shipbuilding policy. Our highly-skilled and highly -trained workforces in the shipbuilding industry are ready, willing and able to take on more work, but they aren't getting the support they deserve from the Canadian government."
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Mayor Walter Fitzgerald
490-4010
