Bridgewater, NS – Major new investments in small craft harbours will benefit local workers and businesses throughout South Shore Nova Scotia, Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margaret's, said today.
"The commercial fishery is vital to families and businesses throughout South Shore Nova Scotia," said MP Keddy. "By investing in small craft harbours our government is taking immediate action in job creation, and is ensuring that those who rely on the fishery can rely on an improved harbour for years to come."
The Small Craft Harbours Program has recently received a boost in funding under Canada's Economic Action Plan. Through this program, communities throughout Canada will receive $200 million over two years to accelerate harbour repair and maintenance, and to undertake dredging projects. This new investment is in addition to regular program funding of approximately $80 million for the Small Craft Harbours Program this year.
$40.2 million is being provided under Canada's Economic Action Plan for projects at core commercial fishing harbours in Nova Scotia over the next two years. This is in addition to $7.9 million in regular program funding this year in the province.
Of that amount, $10.4 million in funding under Canada's Economic Action Plan and $2 million in regular program funding will be used for projects at harbours on Nova Scotia's the South Shore. Projects will be carried out the following harbours:
- Bush Island,
- Falls Point,
- Fox Point,
- Indian Point,
- Ingomar (Black Point),
- Jones Harbour,
- Lower Sandy Point,
- Mill Cove,
- Peggy's Cove,
- Port La Tour,
- Shag Harbour,
- West Berlin,
- West Head,
- Central Port Mouton (Fishermen's Wharf),
- Cripple Creek,
- Newellton, and
- West Green Harbour.
These projects are being undertaken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft Harbours Program, in close collaboration with the harbour authorities that manage and operate the facilities. This close co-operation allows the federal government to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada, in support of commercial fish harvesters.
For more information on the Small Craft Harbours Program, visit http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sch-ppb/home-accueil-eng.htm. For further information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp.
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For More Information:
Stephen Bornais
Communications Branch
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maritimes Region
902-426-3550
