The Heiltsuk Nation is condemning the Federal Government’s choice for an ocean towing contract.
Atlantic Towing Limited was recently awarded a 3 year contract for two emergency towing vessels on the West Coast as part of the Oceans Protection Plan.
The Heiltsuk Nation, who submitted a joint bid with Horizon Maritime Services Limited, issued a statement against the decision this morning.
According to the Nation, Aboriginal participation components in the process accounted for less than 1 percent of the decision.
The Nation’s dissaproval stems not from their rejected bid, but from Atlantic Towing’s lack of experience with Pacific waters and from the company’s aging vessels.
The emergency towing contract is worth 65 million dollars over the three year period.
