Government of Canada investment helping the fish and seafood sector in southern New Brunswick remain strong 

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

July 21, 2021 – Moncton, New Brunswick – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, announced a total investment of $10,077,551 in 22 initiatives throughout southern New Brunswick, including 20 in the Cap-Pelé region, to help the fish and seafood processing sector tackle challenges caused by the pandemic head-on and ensure its future viability. This announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA and the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard.

The funding will help businesses adapt processing operations with new equipment, materials and modifications to enhance employee health and safety due to COVID-19. The projects are supporting fish and seafood processors in the Cap-Pelé and Blacks Harbour regions. Additional information on the projects is provided in the related backgrounder. 

Today’s announcement reflects our Government’s commitment to supporting all sectors affected by the pandemic. Projects like these will help the fish and seafood processing sector get more Atlantic Canadians back to work, and create economic opportunities for coastal communities.

 

Federal government supports fish and seafood processors

The workforce of Canada’s fish and seafood processing sector is an economic driver in our coastal and rural communities, and is vital to our national food supply chain. The sector faced significant challenges due to COVID-19, and our Government 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 its processes and marketing to adapt to changing consumer demands.

By bolstering Canada’s fish and seafood processing sector, our Government is helping position Canada’s 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 our fish and seafood processing sector at this critical time, our Government is paving the way for a stronger, more resilient blue economy.

Quotes

"Our Government recognizes that fish and seafood processing businesses are crucial to coastal communities and are drivers of job creation and economic growth in southern New Brunswick. These investments will help the sector adapt to the new realities of COVID-19, bounce back from the pandemic and play a leading role in our economic recovery."

- The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs 

“As the daughter of a fish-plant worker, I know how critical seafood processors are to our local economies in New Brunswick, 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

  • On June 17, 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. 

  • 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. 

  • ACOA is delivering Atlantic Canada’s $42.7 million share of the fund, which has now been fully committed.

  • 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.

  • The Government of Canada is developing a Blue Economy Strategy to grow our ocean sectors through job creation, inclusion and conservation. 

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Contacts

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic
Development and Official Languages
Catherine.Mounier-Desrochers@canada.ca

Danielle Phillips
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA New Brunswick
Danielle.Phillips@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Jane Deeks
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
343-550-9594
jane.deeks@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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