After years of discussion, the negotiations with Transport Canada for transferring the Owen Sound port to the City have ended without agreement.
Since 2001, the City has asked that the harbour be dredged as a condition of any transfer. These details of the divestment process were brought to this Council in 2015. After submitting a Freedom of Information request, the City received the full reports of environmental studies on the contamination in the harbour sedoment.
From a report going to Council on Monday, April 9:
"The City has been in discussions with Transport Canada (TC) starting late in 2015 around the Sale of the Port and later the Divestiture of the Port.
The City of Owen Sound employed Pollutech EnviroQuatics Limited to assist with understanding the current environmental state of the lands included in the port divestiture. To assist with legal advice about the agreements and potential risks and liabilities the City used Willms & Shier Environmental Law LLP.
Numerous documents were provided by Transport Canada to the City and its consultants for review. Several meetings with City staff, City consultants and Transport Canada staff were held to exchange information related to the Port of Owen Sound.
Council provided the City Manager with a negotiating position for a negotiation meeting with Transport Canada on February 6, 2018.
Legal counsel Julie Abouchaer of Wilms & Shier accompanied the City Manager and representing Transport Canada were Vera Haslett Regional Manager and several of her staff.
Just as City Council had provided the City Manager with a mandate to negotiate a transfer of the port, Ms. Haslett had a mandate from Transport Canada. The meeting was cordial and a good discussion of the positions took place. It was apparent on several key points there would not be agreement.
Under the terms of the Disclosure Agreement between the parties, further comment is not appropriate.
The City of Owen Sound and Transport Canada have exchanged letters formally concluding the negotiation for the transfer of the Port.
