September 3, 2013
Cortes Island, British Columbia – The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State, Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that the Government of Canada will invest in harbour projects at Campbell River, Gorge Harbour, and Heriot Bay. This is part of a $7.9 million investment in maintenance, repair, construction and dredging projects at small craft harbours across British Columbia.
“Our Government recognizes that small craft harbours play a vital role for the fishing industry and local communities,” said Minister Duncan. “The investment announced today demonstrates this Government’s commitment to providing safe and functional harbours. It will support local economies, create jobs and benefit commercial fishers and their communities for years to come.”
The major projects announced today include:
Maintenance and repair
- Replacement of existing electrical transformers and receptacle cabinets at Campbell River (Discovery Harbour); and
- Reconstruction of the launching and loading ramp at Gorge Harbour.
Dredging
- Dredging to modify the harbour entrance at Heriot Bay Harbour.
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.
This year, Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Small Craft Harbours Program will undertake repair and maintenance work at core fishing harbours across Canada through an investment of approximately $63 million. This investment will fund over 100 major repair, construction, maintenance and dredging projects at small craft harbours across Canada. In addition, this investment will enable a large number of minor repair and redredging projects to be carried out at fishing harbours throughout the country.
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For more information:
Sophie Doucet
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
Frank Stanek
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
NR-HQ-13-45E
