September 3, 2013
Quebec – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that the Government of Canada will invest $10.6 million in maintenance, repair, construction and dredging projects at small craft harbours in Quebec.
“Our Government recognizes that small craft harbours play a vital role for the fishing industry and local communities,” said Minister Lebel. “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.”
Major projects being funded under the program include:
- Regular maintenance dredging is being carried out this year at Saint-Godefroi, Port-Daniel-Est, L’Anse-à-Beaufils, and L’Anse-à-Brillant in the Gaspé region and at Île-d’Entrée, Pointe-Basse, Grosse-Île, Pointe-aux-Loups, and Millerand in the Magdalen Islands.
In addition, a number of minor repair and redredging projects as well as technical studies will be carried out at small craft harbours throughout the province.
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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