The Nova Scotia government is spending an extra $1 million to cover cost overruns associated with the refit of the schooner Bluenose II.
Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Dave Wilson said Thursday the money from his department will be used to bring the vessel up to safety specifications.
"During that refit, there are certain requirements that are needed to bring it into class, and that's where some of the overruns and additional costs will come from," he said.
He said the money is in addition to the $14.8 million already budgeted for the refit.
Wilson also said the province still hasn't received about $1 million in funds and assets from the Bluenose II Preservation Trust Society, despite a tentative agreement announced last December with the former operator of the vessel.
He said the province is continuing to talk to Sen. Wilfred Moore and that the situation is "complicated." The society, led by Moore, operated the schooner from 1994 to 2005.
"We'll be coming forward, hopefully soon, with all the details on that transfer of the assets of the old Bluenose trust," Wilson said.
