August 5, 2011
Caribou, Nova Scotia – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today that the Government of Canada will invest in the repair and maintenance of small craft harbours in Nova Scotia.
“The Government of Canada understands that the fishing industry is vital to coastal communities in Nova Scotia and across the country,” said Minister MacKay. “Hard-working Canadians rely on harbours to earn their livelihood and support their families, and we are pleased to keep these facilities safe and accessible.”
This year, Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Small Craft Harbours Program will undertake necessary dredging, repair and maintenance projects at 25 core commercial fishing harbours across Nova Scotia. Minor repair and maintenance projects will also be carried out at harbours throughout the province.
This investment is in addition to funding announced in March 2011, to support fish harvesters in storm-damaged areas in Nova Scotia, other provinces in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Manitoba.
“This Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to renewing infrastructure at fishing harbours across Canada,” said Minister MacKay. “We are making certain that commercial fish harvesters have good operating conditions to pursue their livelihood for years to come.”
Fisheries and Oceans Canada undertakes these projects in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate facilities for local users. Close cooperation between the Department and harbour authorities allows the federal government to continue to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of the commercial fishing industry.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, was in Caribou, Nova Scotia to announce federal government funding for small craft harbours across Nova Scotia.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, tours the newly completed facilities at the small craft harbour in Caribou Ferry, Nova Scotia with David MacCarthy, president of the local harbour authority. Minister MacKay was in Caribou to announce federal government funding for small craft harbours across Nova Scotia.
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For Broadcast:
The Government of Canada will invest $10.9 million to repair and maintain small craft harbours in Nova Scotia this year. This is part of a total of $57 million for small craft harbours across the country, and in addition to the $71.6 million committed by the Government last March, to clean up storm-damaged fishing harbours in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Manitoba.
Background information:
Investments in Small Craft Harbours in Nova Scotia
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephen Bornais
Communications
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
902-426-6987
Barbara Mottram
Press Secretary
Office of the The Honourable Keith Ashfield Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
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