From Left to right, Salt Mine Manager Rowland Howe, Mike Wallace, MP for Burlington, Ben Lobb, Ed Holder, MP for London West, Lois Brown, MP for Newmarket-Aurora, Larry Miller, MP for Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound, Stephen Brooks, Vice President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce, Ray Johnston, President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce, Al Hamilton, President of the Goderich Port Management Corporation, Allister Paterson, President of Seaway Marine Transport

Goderich, Ontario, Tuesday, June 2, 2009 – Ben Lobb, Member of Parliament for Huron-Bruce, along with Port of Goderich President, Mr. Al Hamilton of Sifto Canada, hosted the Conservative Marine Industry Caucus in Goderich on May 19.

Members of the Marine caucus started with an underground tour of the Sifto Salt Mine led by Salt Mine manager Rowland Howe, followed by a tour of the Goderich Port facility.  The afternoon consisted of a discussion with local municipal officials about the redevelopment of the Port.

Mike Wallace, MP for Burlington and chair of the Marine Industry Caucus helped to coordinate the visit in conjunction with the Chamber of Marine Commerce.  Other caucus members in attendance included Larry Miller, MP for Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound, Lois Brown, MP for Newmarket-Aurora and Ed Holder, MP for London West.

The Town of Goderich and the Port Corporation are currently looking at redeveloping the Port of Goderich.  The port is the only seaway depth port/harbour on the east side of Lake Huron.  If the funding is approved, this project will have positive impacts for both the local and national economy. 

The Marine Industry Caucus is a collaborative initiative between Conservative Party parliamentarians and marine industry executives, formed out of a desire for parliamentarians to learn about shipping and large marine mode shippers and marine industry executives across the country to get to know Conservative parliamentarians.  The caucus was formed in 2007 and has since held events in Vancouver, Prince Rupert, St. Catharines/Welland, Quebec City and Halifax.