June 14, 2006
Fortune, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Fortune Harbour Authority will undertake improvements
to freight handling & marine facilities on the Fortune
Harbourfront, at the gateway to the French islands of St.
Pierre and Miquelon -- with a contribution of $243,027 from
the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).The funding was announced today by the Honourable Loyola
Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and regional
minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the
Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Minister of ACOA."The improvements to the marina, freight management and
transportation system will greatly improve efficiency in
the handling of ferry traffic and commercial freight, and
increase pleasure craft activity in the area," said
Minister Hearn. "Canada's new government supports working
with local municipalities on projects that will benefit
generations to come. This project will benefit the local
economy, and will build on the strength of other
attractions in the region."The project will include the installation of two floating
docks and enhancements to the parking area for ferry
traffic. Additional marina spaces will provide boaters with
additional docking capacity. In addition, a secure
marshalling yard and parking compound will be constructed
which will accommodate tractor trailers and other larger
vehicles. The new area will result in a safer and less-
congested area around the ferry terminal, the Canada
Customs and Immigration building and the recently opened
interpretation centre for the Fortune Head Ecological
Reserve. Approximately 3,100 non-resident visitors registered at the
interpretation centre in 2005, and this has been cited as
part of the reason for increased visitor traffic in the
Fortune area over the past year. As well, there has been an
increase of almost 40 per cent in pleasure craft visiting
the marina area over the past 10 years, and close to a 50
per cent increase in the number of fishing vessels using
the harbour facilities. The total federal government funding will include $243,027
from ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund, and $82,000 from
Service Canada. ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund focuses
on investments that lead to long-term employment and
economic capacity building in rural communities.FOR BROADCAST USE ONLY:The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency will provide a
contribution of just over $243,000 to assist the Harbour
Authority of Fortune make improvements to the marina and
the area around the terminal building for the Fortune to
St. Pierre ferry. The funding was announced today by the
Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, Loyola
Hearn.The ferry terminal parking area will be increased and there
will be additional docking spaces for pleasure craft at the
Fortune marina.
For further information, please contact:
Doug Burgess
Director of Public Affairs
ACOA NL
(709) 772-2935
Earl Rose
Harbour Supervisor
Harbour Authority of Fortune
(709) 832-1650
