November 18, 2013
Grand-Étang, Nova Scotia – Senator Michael L. MacDonald, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, awarded the Grand-Étang Harbour Authority a 2012 Small Craft Harbours Prix d'Excellence, on Saturday.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am proud to award Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft Harbours Prix d'Excellence to the Harbour Authority of Grand-Étang,” said Senator MacDonald. “This award recognizes the Harbour Authority Board members' significant role in their community and contribution to their harbour through various initiatives.”
The Harbour Authority of Grand-Étang received this national award in the category of “Harbour Authority Achievement” for its efforts to establish a diversified harbour through initiatives that have had a positive impact on the community by creating local jobs and establishing attractions for tourists in the area.
These initiatives include construction of the Mi-carême Interpretive Centre. The Centre offers an interactive exhibit on the Acadian Mi-carême tradition, as well as housing the Harbour Authority's office. A second initiative involves wind energy research which benefits the community and the Harbour Authority by creating local job opportunities, developing green power, and increasing university research in the area. A further initiative is the Fishermen's Café, which is owned and operated by the Harbour Authority and is a source of seasonal employment within the community.
The successful completion of these projects demonstrates the Harbour Authority's leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. These efforts have improved the Harbour Authority's financial position and enable it to fund other projects at the harbour.
Monique Aucoin, long-time volunteer of the Harbour Authority of Grand-Étang, accepted the Prix d'Excellence award on behalf of the Harbour Authority during an event held at the Centre de la Mi-carême, in Grand-Étang, Nova Scotia.
“We are very pleased to receive this award,” indicates Mrs. Aucoin. “Over the years, we have invested efforts to develop and diversify the activities of the Grand-Étang Harbour Authority. We are touched by this distinction that recognizes the close collaboration between harbour authority members, fishermen, the community and the Small Craft Harbours Program for the explosion of our harbour.”
The Prix d'Excellence is awarded annually to celebrate the exemplary contributions made by Harbour Authorities in meeting the objectives of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft Harbours Program. The award recognizes teams and individuals who have made significant contributions to their harbours and their communities.
-30-
