Bayshore Broadcasting - 26\/06\/2015<\/p>\n
Canadian Ferry Association backs funding, says Conservatives should do more promotion.<\/p>\n
(Owen Sound)<\/span>-<\/p>\n The Canadian Ferry Association is pleased Ottawa is supporting a Marine Emergency Duties Training Centre in Owen Sound, but the organization says the federal government should be doing more to promote the marine sector.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, Bruce-Grey Owen Sound MP Larry Miller announced that $2-million would flow from federal coffers to help construct a MED facility at the City's Georgian College campus.<\/p>\n Queen's Park has also committed $2-million, matching Grey County's investment.<\/p>\n Serge Buy is a lobbyist and CEO of the Canadian Ferry Association -- and he says the Conservatives should be promoting the marine industry as a desirable, well-paying career option.<\/p>\n Buy says upwards of 70 per cent of the industry's current sailors will be retiring in the coming years and there just aren't enough qualified people\/students to replace them.<\/p>\n Instead of political posturing, Buy tells Bayshore Broadcasting News the federal government should focus on the marine sector throughout its mandate, rather than when it's convenient.<\/p>\n He says Larry Miller, who is the chairman of the House of Commons Transportation Committee, has been a valuable asset in securing government money for marine projects, but a recent study failed to address ageing ferry infrastructure.<\/p>\n According to Buy, Canadian ferry operators transport more than 55-million passengers annually, which is slightly less than the amount of people transported via airlines.<\/p>\n Again, Buy reiterates the funding for the MED Training Centre in Owen Sound is critical, but he also says Ottawa has an obligation to help promote careers\/opportunities in the marine sector.<\/p>\n That being said, Buy says the industry is responsible too.<\/p>\n Recently, the Canadian Ferry Association held a conference to identify the problems and potential solutions to issues currently affecting ferry companies.<\/p>\n Among others, the Owen Sound Transportation Company, Marine Atlantic and B.C. Ferries all attended that conference.<\/p>\n In Canada, the ferry industry employs nearly 9,000 crew\/staff.<\/p>\n