20 August 2009 Pangnirtung, Nunavut
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the construction of a new small craft harbour in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, one of dozens of harbour restoration and construction projects contained within Canada's Economic Action Plan.
“Our government views Canada as a country that stretches from coast to coast to coast and our Economic Action Plan is backing up this northern vision with real action,” said the Prime Minister. “Work on Pangnirtung's harbour will create local jobs right away. When completed, this harbour will give fishermen in the region a modern and reliable base of operations for years to come. This project will further one of the key priorities in our Northern strategy and create new economic opportunities for families and businesses in Canada's North.”
Pangnirtung, a key outpost on Canada's Arctic shoreline, has been allocated $17 million to accelerate the construction of a new harbour. The project will be carried out in two phases, with preliminary work for phase one underway in early September. The Government of Canada will also provide scientific research and resource management support to the Nunavut fishery.
Nunavut's fishery presents an excellent opportunity for local economic growth and for the development of regional employment. In the last ten years, Nunavut's offshore fishery, based in the Davis Strait, has become the Territory's most important. The greatest potential for future economic development occurs in the inshore turbot fishery.
As a major component in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Small Craft Harbours Program is receiving $200 million over the next two years to accelerate maintenance and repairs and carry out necessary dredging at small craft harbours across the country.
