‘There’s a lot to learn’
Owen Fitzgerald appointed to Marine Atlantic’s board of directors
Owen Fitzgerald has joined Marine Atlantic’s board of directors.
The Sydney native will be among six people from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador who will oversee policy and direction issues for the Crown corporation.
The appointment of Fitzgerald, who is the director of industry and governance engagement with the Mi’kmaw Economics Benefits Office, was made official last week as part of several appointments and reappointments in the transportation sector.
“Hopefully, I can bring something worthwhile to the table,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s great challenge and there’s a lot to learn but I’m very excited at the same time.”
Fitzgerald applied to sit on the board about a year ago after the federal government invited people from across the country to go through the application process for various boards.
He suspects his business background may have helped his Marine Atlantic application, as did his economic development work and an ongoing role in First Nations communities.
In mid-January, he and other new board members met in St. John’s for orientation. Some also travelled to Port aux Basques for a tour of terminal facilities and the MV Highlanders sailing vessel.
“To understand the importance of the ferry service to Newfoundlanders, Cape Bretoners need just look at the Canso Causeway as their ferry service,” he said.
He said the Crown corporation is also very important to the economy of Cape Breton, especially the community of North Sydney.
His appointment is a threeyear term and can be renewed for another three years when it expires.
The other new appointments to the board are all from Newfoundland and Labrador.
Fitzgerald said there are currently two others from Cape Breton on the board but their appointments will expire this year.