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Story and associated image from Thursday, March 8th, 2007 Cape Breton Post online.

NEWS
Last updated at 10:56 PM on 07/03/07


The new Fisheries and Oceans headquarters is seen in this conceptual drawing.
Fisheries and Oceans will soon have new home


BY WES STEWART
The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — Fisheries and Oceans Canada will open a new $4.7-million Eastern Nova Scotia operational headquarters on Westmount Road in September.

The 1,113-square-metre (10,000-square-foot) building on a corner lot adjacent to the Canadian Coast Guard College was designed to complement the surrounding landscape and accommodate all 32 office and conservation and protection staff in its operational headquarters.

Cumberland Colchester Musquodoboit Valley MP Bill Casey presided over Wednesday’s announcement at the college, noting the headquarters is responsible for a large area of the province.

“This regional office will manage the fishery in half of my riding in the Bay of Fundy,” Casey said.

Joneljim Construction of Sydney is doing the work.

For more than a decade, the area office was housed at the college, but growth at both the college and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans increased the demand for space.

The officer cadet training program and the transfer of courses from the NavCan Training Institute in Ontario also increased the demand for space.

Casey said the new facility will enhance DFO’s ability to deliver programs related to the fisheries and aquaculture management, aboriginal fisheries, oceans and habitat, small craft harbours and fisheries enforcement.

Cape Breton Regional Municipality Deputy Mayor Gordon MacLeod said council is pleased with the announcement and noted there is space in Sydney harbour to accommodate more coast guard ships.

“I see the Terry Fox is here, if we could get a few more here permanently (it) would do marvelous things for our economy.”

Area director Gus van Helvoort said the real significance of the building is that it’s freeing up space in the college.

“That is really where the growth is going to be in terms for needed space for recruitment.”

College director Line Champagne said the college has expanded to train people for the growing number of staff requirements occurring in the fisheries and the coast guard fleet.