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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Standing Committee on Transport commenced its comprehensive study of the national marine sector in February 1995 at the request of the Minister of Transport. The Committee undertook to present this Report to the House no later than the first week of May 1995. This review entailed an extensive meeting schedule in order to hear from the numerous stakeholders in the marine sector, and the distillation of many hours of testimony into the recommendations given in this Report.

This endeavour was accomplished within a tight timeframe and has been possible only by the efforts of many people. The Chair and members of the Committee wish to first thank the many individuals and organizations that either appeared before the Committee or contacted it in writing.

The Committee offers special thanks to the Committee researchers, David Cuthbertson, the consultant to the Committee, and John Christopher, of the Library of Parliament, for their expert assistance during this period of intense study. The Committee wishes to acknowledge Mr. Cuthbertson's meticulous review of the evidence received and drafting of this Report within a tight schedule.

The dedicated and hardworking staff of the Committees and Parliamentary Associations Directorate deserve special mention. Ellen Savage, Clerk of the Committee, maintained contact with the numerous witnesses before the Committee and was responsible for all aspects of travel, meetings and report production. Chi Hoang provided unfailingly professional secretarial assistance. Excellent administrative support was provided by Sharron Scullion who was responsible for all aspects of the travel and cross-Canada hearings. Grateful mention must also be made of the hardworking interpreters, console operators, transcribers, translators, and publication staff who provided service to the Committee during this exercise.