Government of Canada investment helping the fish and seafood sector in two Cape Breton communities remain strong
News release
COVID-19 safety, infrastructure and machinery upgrades are top priorities
March 29, 2021 – North Sydney, Nova Scotia – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
The workforce of Canada’s fish and seafood processing sector is an economic driver in coastal and rural communities, and is vital to the national food supply chain. The sector faced immense challenges due to COVID-19, and the Government of Canada worked quickly to ensure it had the support it needed during this unprecedented time.
On April 25, 2020, the federal government announced the $62.5 million Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund (CSSF). This fund was created specifically to help Canada’s fish and seafood processors adapt to the challenges of COVID-19. Today the CSSF is supporting projects across Canada to help processors retain their employees and maintain strong health and safety measures to ensure workers are protected. It is increasing the industry’s capacity to process, store, package and distribute healthy, high-quality products, as well as retool processes and marketing to adapt to changing consumer demands.
By bolstering Canada’s fish and seafood processing sector, the Government of Canada is helping position the national economy for a strong, post-pandemic recovery. Canada’s ocean industries contribute approximately $31.7 billion to Canada’s GDP every year. By investing in the fish and seafood processing sector at this critical time, the Government of Canada is paving the way for a stronger more resilient blue economy in the future.
Federal government supports fish and seafood processors
Today, Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, announced total investments of $1 million to two companies in North Sydney and Neils Harbour, to help the region’s fish and seafood processing sector tackle challenges caused by the pandemic head-on and ensure its future viability. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and of the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Northsyde Processing Limited in North Sydney is receiving a $450,000 repayable contribution to acquire packaging machinery to meet market demand for retail and online delivery, creating up to 12 new jobs. The company is also receiving a $50,000 non-repayable contribution to install thermal body temperature scanners in its production facilities.
Victoria Co-Operative Fisheries Limited in Neils Harbour is receiving a $450,000 repayable contribution for a new storage building and ice making equipment. The company is receiving an additional non-repayable contribution of $50,000 for health and safety equipment that will enable the plant to meet COVID-19 requirements.
Today’s announcement reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to supporting all sectors affected by the pandemic. Projects like these will help the fish and seafood processing sector build back better, get more Atlantic Canadians back to work and create a more resilient, diverse economy.
Quotes
“Fish and seafood processing businesses are the heart of many rural, coastal communities. They create jobs and help grow the economy. These investments will help the sector adapt to meet current COVID-19 safety measures, bounce back from the pandemic and play a leading role in our economic recovery. We will get through this crisis together.”
- Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
“As the daughter of a fish-plant worker, I know how critical seafood processors are to our local economy here in Nova Scotia, and all across Canada. When the pandemic hit, an immediate priority of our government was getting the processing sector the support it needed to keep workers safe and adapt to changing consumer demands. We created the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund specifically to address the unique needs of processors, and it’s inspiring to see how our partners are using these funds to actually strengthen the sector. Through the CSSF, our seafood sector is re-tooling, re-branding, and finding new markets – all of which will help Canada’s national economy build back better.”
- The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick facts
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In June 2020, Minister Jordan launched the $62.5 million Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund (CSSF) to support fish and seafood processors experiencing significant financial challenges caused by COVID-19.
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CSSF is a Fisheries and Oceans Canada initiative delivered by three of Canada’s Regional Development Agencies: ACOA, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and Western Economic Diversification Canada.
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ACOA is delivering Atlantic Canada’s $42.7 million share of the fund, which is now fully committed.
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ACOA continues to invest in projects that promote sustainable local economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation through its regular suite of programs.
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The Government of Canada is developing a Blue Economy Strategy to grow its ocean sectors through job creation, inclusion and conservation. Canadians are invited to share their views in an online engagement portal, which will collect diverse perspectives from coast to coast to coast, helping shape a strategy that will contribute to sustainable oceans, drive investment in ocean industries and create jobs in coastal communities as Canada charts its economic recovery from COVID-19. Online engagement is open until June 15, 2021.
Associated links
Contacts
Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic
Development and Official Languages
Catherine.Mounier-Desrochers@canada.ca
Jane Deeks
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and
the Canadian Coast Guard
353-550-9594
jane.deeks@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Lori Selig
Communications Manager, Nova Scotia
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-266-7477
Lori.Selig@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
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