Port rumours unfounded, says MP

In reference to a recent letter to the editor (“Thoughts on recent economic action in Cape Breton,” Cape Breton Post, Nov. 23), I want to take this as an opportunity to clarify my continued support for the development of the Port of Sydney.

In 2012, we marked a milestone in port development with the completion of the $38 million dredging of Sydney Harbour. I lobbied for years in the House of Commons for the federal funding and knew at that time the potential that our port holds. It is one of our most valuable assets. There were funds left over from the dredge and those remaining federal dollars were transferred into a trust with the Port of Sydney, with the agreed number one priority for those remaining dollars to be used towards future navigational aids for the Port of Sydney.

In my role as Chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade, and as the Member of Parliament for Sydney – Victoria, I’ve been working in conjunction with the CBRM and Province of Nova Scotia for future development. At present, I am working in Ottawa to secure the next major investment in Sydney Harbour.

Projects of this magnitude do not happen overnight and it takes all of us working together, politically and within the community, to make these things happen.

The rumours that recently circulated about Halifax receiving federal dollars for a new port instead of Sydney were unfounded, and I think it’s necessary for me to write this letter to clarify that the rumour about Nova Scotia MPs against port development in Sydney is also unfounded. When it comes to jobs and infrastructure, we want the best for our Island. Mark Eyking

MP – Sydney-Victoria