Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces support for Revitalization of the Relance Terminal

September 13, 2010

SEPT-ILES, QUEBEC – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced support for the second phase of revitalizing the Relance Terminal in the Port of Sept-Îles.  The Prime Minister also welcomed the significant progress achieved on the first phase of the revitalization, initiated in September 2009, which also received Economic Action Plan funding.  This Economic Action Plan initiative will create long-term jobs, improve the competitiveness of local industries and promote economic growth in Sept-Îles and the surrounding regions. 
 
“The Port of Sept-Îles is the cornerstone of the economy of this region,” Prime Minister Harper said.  “The modernization of the Relance Terminal will create greater economic opportunities for the businesses and industries of Quebec’s North Shore and will provide local businesses with better access to foreign markets.  This investment will generate long-term benefits for the region.” 
 
The modernization of the Relance Terminal, the largest marine port terminal for the aluminum industry in the Americas, will improve harbour and port operations by increasing its storage capacity for raw natural resources and increasing the pier's shipping capacity for aluminum. 
 
“Canada’s Economic Action Plan is enabling this country to emerge from the global recession with a more competitive and modern economy,” the Prime Minister added. “It is helping Canada do significantly better than many advanced countries during this difficult economic period.” 
 
The Government of Canada is supporting the revitalization of the Relance Terminal through its Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF), part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The ISF supports provincial, territorial, municipal and community infrastructure projects that are construction-ready.  This initiative is being undertaken in co-operation with the Port of Sept-Îles. 
 


 
Backgrounder

CANADA’S ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN
The Relance Terminal


The Harper Government is committed to modernizing key transportation infrastructure to create jobs, build stronger communities, enhance the ability of Canadian firms to participate in global markets and create a more competitive business environment.
 
In keeping with this goal, the Government has committed approximately $31.5 million to improve operations and modernize the Port de Sept-Îles since 2009.  The Government allocated up to $15 million for the first phase to revitalize port facilities at the Relance Terminal, and up to an additional $7 million for the second phase of the project.  The Port of Sept-Îles will contribute the remaining amount for both stages of the Relance Terminal work, which is estimated to cost a total of about $45 million.
 
The first phase of the plan to optimize the Relance Terminal plan involves improving port operations and increasing the storage capacity for raw natural resources, mainly through the construction of an eighth silo.  The second phase of the project consists of improving a defence system for the Terminal’s piers to protect the facility’s infrastructure against docking manoeuvres of ships, increasing the electrical capacity of the terminal, and planning for the construction of a storage and handling centre.  
 
The Government is further supporting the modernization of the Port of Sept-Îles by investing up to $9.5 million to further develop Pointe Noire Terminal and Pier 30.
 
In partnership with the Port of Sept-Îles, the Government of Canada is supporting the revitalization of the Relance Terminal through its $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.  Part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the ISF supports provincial, territorial, municipal and community infrastructure projects that are construction-ready.  
 
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government has commitments in place for almost 16,000 projects across the country, and has contributed to the creation of nearly 430,000 net new jobs since July 2009.