Correspondence: Letter from Mayor Lisa Helps re: Redevelopment of Belleville Terminal

Redevelopment of Belleville Terminal

September 10, 2015

Dear Mayor Screech,

I am writing to request your written support of the redevelopment of Belleville Terminal.

Belleville Terminal is an international gateway to our region, with Clipper Navigation and Blackball Ferries welcoming 1.2 million visitors annually. However, existing facilities are substandard and are in great need of revitalization. Not only do they not meet customers' expectations today, they will also be unable to fulfill the pre-clearance requirements of tomorrow. Belleville Terminal is vital to our region's long-term growth and vibrancy, and is accordingly a transportation infrastructure priority for our communities.

With the coming sesquicentennial of Canada in 2017, the time is ripe for private sector, provincial and federal funding to make this much-needed revitalization a priority. The Province and the operators have committed $17.4 million to upgrade the docks at the terminal, which is phase one of a three-phase project. Construction will be underway this fall. In addition, the City of Victoria has committed at least $1 million, and likely more, and is thus a committed partner in this project.

I am respectfully requesting your support of the Belleville Terminal redevelopment, in the form of a letter, highlighting the benefit of this project to the region from your perspective. I have enclosed my letter to Deputy Minister Dr. John Knubley of Industry Canada for your reference. Letters of support should be mailed to:

Deputy Minister's Office Todd Hunter Director, Portfolio Office 235 Queen Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H5

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Lisa Helps Victoria Mayor

Encl. Cc. Mayors in the Capital Regional District