local people, local ties!

portof belledune.ca
Winter 2014
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
The year 2014 was very positive for the Port of
Belledune on many facets: during the year, we
have successfully finalized a lease agreement
with our Terminal 1 Operator, Glencore Canada
Corporation-Brunswick Smelter; we welcomed
several new business partners; and in August, we
proudly hosted the annual Association of
Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA) 56th AGM &
Conference which welcomed over 160
delegates to our beautiful area to
experience true northern hospitality.
T
Rayburn Doucett
Furthermore, the Port of Belledune has seen
such positive changes, successes and
profitability over the years; therefore, in this
issue, I take the opportunity to express my
sincere gratitude for the unquestionable
support from our dedicated staff, our past
and present Board of Directors, lead by
Barry Kyle, who for the 5th consecutive year
was named one of the TOP 50 CEOs in
Atlantic Canada by Atlantic Business
Magazine, our government and business
partners and from our expert stevedoring
services as we continue to rely on
teamwork, solid planning and a genuine
interest in offering superior services at
competitive prices. Additionally, the people and
the Village of Belledune exude cooperation and
collaboration along with all of our neighboring
communities.
This irrefutable support was once again
demonstrated as the Port moves into the TOP 101
Companies–Indeed, the Port of Belledune
recently learned it had made Progress
Magazine’s TOP 101 list for businesses in the
Maritimes, which demonstrates that the Port’s
leadership and the focus on developing its
operations to their fullest potential are continuing
to bring about positive results. The Port of
Belledune made its way onto the list once again
this year with its efforts concentrated on further
developing its operations and services.
The Belledune Port Authority now has the facilities
needed to provide a solid foundation for growth
as we improve and diversity our operations. We
are eagerly beginning 2015 with some exciting
business development opportunities on the
horizon and a focus on further marketing our
infrastructure as we continue BPA’s unrelenting
commitment to provide excellent service and
facilities.
We believe the Port of Belledune will continue its
climb to be among the best of the best as
“Belledune…Unlimited”.
LOCAL PEOPLE, LOCAL TIES!
The Belledune Port Authority (BPA) is proud to support our local communities.
The BPA has recently hired its newest staff member,
Finance & Administrative Assistant, Natacha Downing of Bathurst. There are thirteen employees at the BPA and the BPA is very proud
that almost half of this close-knit group are also residents of Belledune alone. With the staff residing from Dalhousie to Bathurst, eleven
are native to the Chaleur and Restigouche regions. “We look for local people with local ties,” says Rayburn Doucett, President & CEO
of the BPA. “While it’s not policy that we hire locally, we want our staff to take pride in their community… in our community! We strongly
encourage community involvement.”
The BPA believes that hiring locally has many benefits. It means more money stays within the community and spending within the
community will mean local tax dollars which in turn support necessary services, such as police, fire and ambulance. It also means that
the employees are genuinely invested in the community and are able to relate on a personal level when bringing new business to the
Port, working on new projects and encouraging development for our community.
Belledune Port Authority’s Newsletter, Winter 2014
Anchored in our
Anchored
Community
BPA SUPPORTS UNIQUE FUNDRAISING!
Terry Fox Elementary School in Bathurst enjoys finding unique ways of fundraising to enhance
learning in their school. This year marked the 10th Annual Christmas Silent Auction at the
Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club. This popular community event invites patrons to bid on
beautiful Christmas wreaths, gift items and baskets generously donated by classrooms and
local businesses, such as the Belledune Port Authority.
“Proceeds often exceed $10,000 and have gone towards the purchase of new books for the
school library, playground equipment, items for music and physical education, a bank of iPads
for student use, and a brand new technology hub. This year’s proceeds will, once again, be
sure to enhance learning in an exciting way for the students of TFES,” says Vice Principal Paula
Chapman.
The Belledune Port Authority is happy to contribute to these creative fundraising events for
local schools, such as TFES. The Port proudly supported six schools in 2014.
The Acadie-Bathurst Titan team has been a
In keeping with the #SEAtheWorld social
media buzz created earlier this year with
the Port of Belledune sunglasses, the BPA
encouraged Titan attendees to don a
pair of the new “Titan” red
sunglasses and post selfies on
Twitter at a recent Titan game.
One lucky contestant
won a $25 Tim Hortons
gift card for his
In 2014, the Belledune Port Authority (BPA) participation in the
continued its support to sports and contest.
entertainment in the region. The BPA not only
became a Titan sponsor, but also took the Stay connected with
opportunity to give back to the fans. The BPA the BPA on Twitter and
regularly gives out Titan tickets on local radio keep an eye out for
stations as well as through their Twitter page, your chance to win
@PortofBelledune. By following the Port, you Titan tickets and other
can enter regular contests to win tickets to prizes
home games. “We want to utilize social media
to reach out to our community and business
partners,” says Director of Marketing,
Jenna MacDonald.
major player in Bathurst sports and
entertainment since 1998. The Quebec Major
Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) offers an
opportunity to young hockey players to make
their dreams come true and make the jump to
the pros while enabling them to continue their
education so that they may become leaders
in tomorrow’s society.
@PortofBelledune
Belledune Port Authority’s Newsletter,
Winter 2014