Appointment to the Pacific Pilotage Authority

OTTAWA, March 13, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the appointment of Mr. Peter Bernard, Q.C. to the Pacific Pilotage Authority for a term of three years.

"I am delighted that Mr. Bernard has accepted this position as vice chair of the Pacific Pilotage Authority," said Minister Lebel. "He will bring to this new role far-reaching legal experience and in-depth knowledge as well as service on the boards of key organizations in the marine community."

Mr. Bernard, Q.C. is a founding member of Vancouver legal firm Bernard & Partners. For over 40 years, until he retired in June 2012, he practiced across a broad spectrum of Maritime Law. This involved representing ship owners and charterers in both international and coastal shipping, terminal operators, protection and indemnity underwriters, ship builders and various worldwide financial institutions. After obtaining his law degree from the University of British Columbia, Mr. Bernard began his career at maritime law firm Macrae Montgomery Hill & Cunningham. He was a partner there for 13 years before joining Campney & Murphy and then founded his own firm in 2002.

Throughout his career Mr. Bernard has been closely involved in the marine community. He was legal representative of the Pacific Pilotage Authority for over 25 years and served on numerous boards. These included the Chamber of Shipping, the International Maritime Centre, the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Maritime Law Association and Vancouver Maritime Museum. Mr. Bernard was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2001 and was recently named Best Maritime Lawyer in Vancouver for 2011.

The Pacific Pilotage Authority is a Crown corporation created in 1972 under the Pilotage Act. Its mandate is to operate and maintain safe, reliable and efficient marine pilotage and related services in the coastal waters of British Columbia, including the Fraser River.

SOURCE: Transport Canada