HAANL was incorporated as a non-profit, volunteer-led organization to provide leadership and representation for Harbour Authorities.  It is separate and distinct from the regional and national harbour authorities advisory committee that operates in Newfoundland and Labrador. The National Harbour Authority Advisory Committee (NHAAC) and the Regional Harbour Authority Advisory Committee (RHAAC) are also voluntary groups whose members are elected by Harbour Authorities or appointed by Small Craft Harbours (SCH) of DFO with inputs from HAs to provide advice of regional or national importance to the Government of Canada.    

 

By contrast, HAANL exists to serve a voting membership.  Our by-laws were crafted to ensure the leadership team, our Board of Directors, is drawn on an elected basis from Harbour Authority volunteers already elected to local boards. If it is in the best interest of harbour authorities to allow membership from other sources HAANL will consider amendments to the  by-laws.   

 

Our strategic directions require HAANL to maintain a strong working relationship with SCH staff specifically at the regional level.  We recognize SCH as a source of good advice and strong support for harbour operations.  As leaseholders on federal government property, harbour authorities have a financial and compliance relationship with DFO.  These relationships are respected and will be supported by HAANL.  Likewise, HAANL will support the roles of both the RHAAC and the NHAAC.