Government of Canada makes a significant Coastal Restoration Fund investment in coastal habitat restoration in the Matane region through the Oceans Protection Plan

News release

Baie-des-Sables, Quebec - The protection and restoration of the environment is a top priority of the Government of Canada, which is providing resources through the Oceans Protection Plan that will make our oceans and coasts safer, cleaner and healthier for the benefit of all Canadians and future generations.

Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced today that the Uni-Vert environmental group, in the Matane region, will receive $371,122 over four years for a project to help restore coastal habitats in the Matane region.

The project involves using natural stabilization techniques to restore coastal habitats with erosion problems in the Matane region. In addition to conserving important habitat, particularly for breeding capelin, the project will help reduce habitat area loss caused by certain storms. The areas affected are Baie-des-Sables, Les Méchins and Grosses- Roches.

In May 2017, the Government of Canada announced the $75-million Coastal Restoration Fund to help rehabilitate some of our most important coastlines and protect marine life and ecosystems. The Coastal Restoration Fund supports projects that contribute to coastal restoration on all of Canada’s coasts. Preference is given to projects that are multiyear and involve a broad number of partners, including Indigenous groups.

The $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan ─ the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways. Through the Plan, the Government of Canada is creating a world-leading marine safety system that provides economic opportunities for Canadians today, while protecting our coasts and waterways for generations to come. This work is achieved in close collaboration with the Indigenous peoples,the local stakeholders and the coastal communities.

Additional multimedia

Rémi Massé, MP for Avignon – La Mitis – Matane – Matapédia, along with Guy Ahier, coordinator of Groupe environnemental Uni-Vert, and Denis Santerre, Mayor for Baie-des-Sables, and Reeve of the La Matanie RCM, pose for a photo following the Coastal Restoration Fund announcement for coastal habitat restoration in the Matane region through the Oceans Protection Plan.

Quotes

“Our government is committed to protecting our coasts – that’s why we announced the Oceans Protection Plan, which will make our oceans and coasts safer, cleaner and healthier. The $75-million Coastal Restoration Fund provides an opportunity to address threats to our ocean and coastal areas. I am pleased that our collaboration with the Uni-Vert environmental group, Matane region, will ensure healthy, thriving coastal ecosystems in the Matane region for future generations.”

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“This investment from the Government of Canada to restore coastal habitats with erosion problems in the Matane region, is a strategic initiative that will represent a significant advantage for the protection of marine life and ecosystems in the region.  In addition to fostering regional synergy between the Uni-Vert environmental group, the Matane region and its partners, the project will help reinforce the capacity of several organizations to restore key habitats.”

Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia

Quick facts

  • The objective of the project is to stabilize eroding banks in three areas of the La Matanie RCM, namely Baie-des-Sables, Les Méchins and Grosses-Roches.

  • Various stabilization and bioengineering techniques will be used according to the characteristics of each of the sites, including the planting of lyme grass.

  • This stabilization work will make it possible to conserve coastal habitats, mainly beaches used by capelin for breeding.

  • A number of partnerships will be maintained or established throughout the initiative, namely with the Comité ZIP du Sud-de-l’Estuaire, the Conseil de l’environnement du Bas-Saint-Laurent, the Parages group and the La Matanie RCM.

Related products

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Vincent Hughes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-996-0022
vincent.hughes@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

NR-QR-18-E

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FisheriesOceansCanada/

Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/FishOceansCAN

Page details

Date modified: