Southern New Brunswick’s fish and seafood processors get support from the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund

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

Atlantic Canada’s fish and seafood sector has faced significant challenges and financial hardship since the downturn in the economy due to COVID-19. That is why the Government of Canada is helping fish and seafood processors navigate these difficult times with support through the Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund.

An initiative of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the $62.5 million fund is being delivered by three of Canada’s Regional Development Agencies. ACOA is delivering $42.7 million in Atlantic Canada.

Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, announced a total investment of $10,077,551 for 22 projects. This investment will help fish and seafood processors in southern New Brunswick weather the pandemic and prepare for a strong economic recovery, so that their communities can continue to thrive.

Cooke Aquaculture                                                            Repayable          $2,600,000
Blacks Harbour
To install additional cold storage capacity at the fish processing facility to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. This project will take place in conjunction with augmenting the processing lines, shipping and receiving areas as well as investments in value added processing technology to respond to new retail demand.              

Cooke Aquaculture                                               Non-repayable               $1,000,000 
Blacks Harbour
To enable the company to adapt its New Brunswick-based processing facility to meet COVID-19 related processing, shipping and receiving requirements

WESTMORLAND FISHERIES                                   Repayable                    $2,823,750
Cap-Pelé
To modify plant facilities and operations, incorporate automated equipment and respect physical distancing needs of employees due to enhanced health and safety requirements related to COVID-19

WESTMORLAND FISHERIES                                  Non-repayable                $998,135
Cap-Pelé
To adapt its lobster processing facility, health and safety equipment, and training to meet COVID-19 health and safety requirements

Shediac Lobster Shop Ltd.                                       Non-repayable               $565,310
Shediac
To purchase equipment and materials, and enable site modifications to its lobster processing facility to meet COVID-19 health and safety requirements and respect physical distancing needs of employees

Leslie Léger et Fils Ltée / Leslie Léger & Sons Ltd.   Repayable                $524,890
Trois-Ruisseaux
To modify existing facilities into a cold storage space due to COVID-19

M&M Cormier Fisheries Ltd.                                        Repayable                    $94,144
Cap-Pelé
To acquire additional commercial seafood storage containers due to COVID-19

EDMOND GAGNON LIMITED                                 Non-repayable                $231,600
Grand-Barachois
To purchase materials and implement health and safety measures for employees due to COVID-19.

Elphege and Norbert LeBlanc Ltd.                             Repayable                    $56,445
Cap-Pelé
To make site modifications, which include an extension to the facility as well as removing cement tanks and replacing them with tub.

Elphege and Norbert LeBlanc                                   Non-repayable              $95,753
Cap-Pelé
To make site modifications to its processing facility to meet health and safety requirements related to COVID-19, including physical distancing measures

Boudreau Farm & Sea Products Ltd.                         Repayable                    $28,230
Petit-Cap
To purchase commercial seafood containers for storage of products, in response to stock-related challenges brought on by COVID-19

Boudreau Farm & Sea Products Ltd.                        Non-repayable              $16,350
Petit-Cap
To adjust the processing line to comply with COVID-19 distancing and safety requirements, remove old cement tanks and add steel beams/columns for structural support of the facility in order to create adequate space on the factory floor.

Herring Buying Group Inc. /                                           Repayable                $226,800
Groupe d’achat de harreng Inc. 
Cap-Pelé
To improve herring storage capabilities with the purchase of additional storage boxes.

AMCO Fisheries Ltd.                                                     Non-repayable              $97,275
Cap-Pelé
To undertake plant modifications to address employee health and safety requirements, including the expansion of processing space to allow for physical distancing in an existing space previously used for storage.

Related products

• News release: Government of Canada investment helping the fish and seafood sector in southern New Brunswick remain strong.

Associated links

• Backgrounder: COVID-19: Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund launches on June 22 2020
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response plan
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• To find out more about ACOA programs and services, please visit the ACOA website