The St. John River Society will improve twelve wharves located along the lower St. John River and increase the tourism activity in the region, thanks to federal funding announced today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.
"Our government, through the Economic Action Plan, is taking important steps to ensure that Canada emerges from the global recession positioned for renewed growth," said Minister Ashfield. "Our investment of more than $185,000 through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) will help the St. John River Society to repair and improve 12 wharves between Oromocto and Saint John, helping communities to diversify their local economies through tourism and related activities."
The project involves repairs, upgrades and interpretational signage for the Maugerville, Lower Burton Courthouse, Colwell's, Queenstown, Hampstead, MacDonald's, Public Landing, Wickham, Gerow's, Bedford, White's Bluff and Webster's wharves. The improvements will make the wharves more user-friendly, providing safe and secure locations along the lower river for boating and related activities. The project will contribute to the protection of the local environment, while supporting long-term sustainable economic development.
"The St. John River Society wishes to thank the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for providing this funding to repair and upgrade its twelve wharves along the lower St. John River," said Muriel Mackenzie, Chair of the Wharf Committee, the St. John River Society. "These wharves guarantee points of public access for residents and visitors to this magnificent waterway. The investment will allow The St. John River Society to continue capacity building in these riverside communities and will also allow The Society to offer improved access points for recreational use.
The Government of Canada is investing $185,000 toward the project under Community Adjustment Fund, a key federal economic stimulus initiative under the Economic Action Plan, while the St. John River Society is contributing more than $46,000.
The EAP is providing a total of $1 billion over two years through CAF to support initiatives that help create and maintain jobs in communities and industries impacted by the economic downturn. Atlantic Canada's allocation of $100 million under CAF is administered by ACOA.
For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The St. John River Society will repair and upgrade twelve wharves located along the lower St. John River thanks to funding support provided by the Government of Canada. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
The project will help increase the tourism activity in the region and provide safe and secure locations between Oromocto and Saint John for boating and related activities.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is investing $185,000 toward the project under the Community Adjustment Fund, a key federal economic stimulus initiative.
Stéphanie Bilodeau
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA New Brunswick
506-452-3034
Molly Demma
Executive Director
St. John River Society
506-450-8709
