Eskasoni celebrates grand opening of shipyard in Sydport

Eskasoni First Nation celebrated the official opening of its expansion into Sydport with the newly incorporated Eskasoni Shipyard on August 28th.

The shipyard is a substantial investment into Eskasoni’s economy and community, and will provide many new employment opportunities for residents, and was done in partnership with Marine Recycling Corporation.

The new land acquisition is located at 10 Marine Drive in Sydport.

The grand opening event included speeches from key stakeholders, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, and a tour of the facilities for attendees.

Eskasoni First Nation recognizes the advancement as a significant moment for leadership and future economic benefits for the region, says Eskasoni Chief Leroy Denny.

“The Eskasoni shipyard is a cornerstone in our mission, bringing with it employment, economic prosperity, and a lasting impact on our community,” said Chief Denny in an address to the event attendees.

Chief Denny shared his excitement for what benefits the new shipyard will bring to Eskasoni.

“The impact of this acquisition will be felt far beyond the wall of this shipyard. It will resonate through Eskasoni, creating new opportunities for our people to learn, to grow, and to thrive. This means jobs for our youth and stability for our families in the future, where we control our own destiny,” said Chief Denny.

“This shipyard is more than a business, it’s a beacon of hope and progress for our community. As you look in the future, I see a time when Eskasoni will be known not only for our rich culture and history, but also for our innovation and our ability to compete in the global stage. The Eskasoni shipyard is just the beginning.”

‘WHEN WE WORK IN HARMONY WE CAN ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS’

Chief Denny also acknowledged the many collaborations it took to bring the shipyard into fruition.

“Our partners at the Marine Recycling Corporation, your belief in our vision and support in making this dream a reality means more than words can express. Together, we are proving that when we work in harmony, we can achieve great things,” said Chief Denny.

“I also want to thank our staff at Eskasoni Corporate Division and Steve Parsons and Alyssia Jeddore, who worked tirelessly to help bring opportunities and employment in our community. Lastly, I wanted to thank my fellow Council members, who helped to support our shared vision for brighter future for generations to come.”

‘WE ARE NOT WALKING THIS PATH ALONE’

Chief Denny expressed appreciation towards Marine Recycling Corporation, a certified ship recycling company, for their contribution to the project.

“We are not walking this path alone. Our partners at the Marine Recycling Corporation have been invaluable in making this vision a reality. MRC’S expertise in marine recycling and industrial services is unmatched and their commitment to sustainability and excellence aligns perfectly with our values,” shared Chief Denny.

“Together, we are transforming this shipyard into a facility, that will not only meet the highest standards of quality and safety, but will also set a new benchmark for innovation in the industry.”

Marine Recycling Corporation’s president, Jordan Elliott, also shared a few words at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“We're thrilled about this partnership with Eskasoni First Nation. As we grow our marine service businesses across Canada, this is a very big part of our growth. We started our journey out in Cape Breton Island a little over eight years ago and we were lucky enough to bring some good federal government contracts,” Elliott explained.

“From that first year, we were lucky enough to partner in an employment relationship with Eskasoni First Nation and throughout all of those contracts and since, we were able to establish and maintain at least a 70% employment rate with this First Nations band.

“It’s something we're very proud of and we're proud to continue growing that relationship into the future through this new formal partnership. We have very exciting plans for the near future with this new facility, which will contribute significant economic development and employment opportunities for not just Eskasoni First Nation, but for the entire marine community in Atlantic Canada.”