Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to bring good news from the port of Halifax. In 1994 revenues of the port of Halifax were up 4.7 per cent.
There is more good news. There was an increase of 23 per cent in container traffic in the fourth quarter of last year. Sixteen hundred vessels called at Halifax last year. That was a big increase. It included 39 cruise vessels bringing 38,000 tourists to Halifax, the home of this year's G-7 and was a 22 per cent rise over 1993.
The future is bright for the port of Halifax. Officials there predict a 15 per cent to 25 per cent increase in container business this year.
The port of Halifax is the key to economic recovery in this area. It provides 2,500 direct and 4,500 indirect jobs to Halifax.
I am sure that members of the House will join me in commending the port of Halifax on a very successful year.