Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, has announced that Kanter Marine of St. Thomas, Ontario has been awarded a $360,000 contract for two new hydrographic survey launches for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
Preston said that under new economic action plan there will be more jobs and opportunities in Canada. The government is pleased that this investment will benefit the shipbuilding industry and workers in St. Thomas. It is informed that the new hydrographic survey launches will be 8 metres in length. They will be delivered by March 2011, and will replace existing boats that are nearing the end of their service life.
Preston told that these new boats will become platforms for DFO scientists to conduct research into the health of our oceans and the fish that inhabit them. He added that the Canadian Government recognizes the importance of the science that will protect the future of our precious marine resources, and is working to ensure scientists have the equipment necessary to do their jobs.
