News Releases

Funding cut for National Maritime Centre for the Pacific and the Arctic Reaction from Tourism Industry on Vancouver's North Shore

January 13 , 2010

North Vancouver, BC - The Board of Directors of Vancouver's North Shore Tourism Association has recently learned the regrettable news that the BC Provincial Government is unable to provide the City of North Vancouver with the funding necessary to develop the National Maritime Centre for the Pacific and the Arctic.

"All of us in the tourism Industry here on the North Shore were very disappointed with the news about the funding cuts for the National Maritime Centre. A presence like that on the North Shore would have truly added to the many world class attractions we already offer Vancouver visitors," said Amin Karim, President of Vancouver's North Shore Tourism Association. "The Maritime Centre would have provided visitors with one more good reason to plan their vacation stay on the North Shore."

A goal of Vancouver's North Shore Tourism Association is to bring awareness of the tourism possibilities on Vancouver's North Shore to the world, encouraging them or to stay in one of the many properties on the North Shore, and to visit the North shore for day trips while in the Greater Vancouver area.

In 2008, the Province of BC contributed $9 million in start up funds to the City of North Vancouver for the National Maritime Centre, and had announced in its throne speeches of 2008 and 2009 that it would contribute further funds subject to federal matching dollars. However, the Province wrote that under the current economic conditions, it is unable to provide further funding. Funding for the project was to be a three-way partnership of local, provincial and federal resources, as well as private sector funding. The Federal government had made a commitment to the project pending a matching investment from the Province.

For more information on what Vancouver's North Shore has to offer visitors, refer to Vancouver's North Shore Tourism Association's website at www.vancouversnorthshore.com

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For interviews, editorial and/or photographic information, please contact:

Jane Ince, Media Relations Manager
Tel: (604) 987-6047
Email: jane@vancouversnorthshore.com

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