Harper Government Invests more than $1.2 Million in Harbours in the Maritimes

News Release

Minister Shea announces projects to maintain and improve fishing harbours in the Maritimes

February 19, 2015 - Ottawa, Ontario

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Minister for Prince Edward Island, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing in seven small craft harbours located in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. These projects are valued at more than $1.2 million and involve maintenance, repair, construction and dredging in order to ensure that these harbours in the Maritimes continue to operate safely and securely.

In the Maritimes, the investment supports the following harbour projects:

Sambro Harbour, Nova Scotia - installation of new floating wharves
Cape St. Mary Harbour, Nova Scotia - initial stages of construction of a breakwater and a barrier to prevent infilling
Meteghan Harbour, Nova Scotia - installation of an electrical system on the floating wharves
Inverness Harbour, Nova Scotia - replacement of floating wharves
Glace Bay Harbour, Nova Scotia - installation of a concrete retaining wall, associated gangway and hardware, and two floating wharves
Stuart Town Harbour, New Brunswick - installation of new floating wharves
Seacow Pond Harbour, Prince Edward Island - channel dredging

Funding for these projects is part of the Government of Canada’s investment of approximately
$106 million in repair, construction, maintenance and dredging projects at small craft harbours across Canada. This includes regular annual program funding of $66 million for 2014-2015 and an additional $40 million allocated over two years, as announced in Economic Action Plan 2014.

Quick Facts

Small craft harbours support the commercial fishing industry. Nearly 90 percent of all commercial fish harvesters in Canada use small craft harbour facilities, and their annual production represents approximately $1.6 billion.
The Canadian commercial fishing industry provides employment in many coastal, rural and isolated communities. This includes approximately 80,000 jobs within the industry as well as thousands of additional jobs in supporting industries.
The Government of Canada undertakes harbour improvement projects in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate facilities for local users.
The federal government is supporting repair, construction, maintenance and dredging projects at 64 harbours in the Maritimes this year.
The Small Craft Harbours Program is responsible for more than 1000 small craft harbours across Canada.

Quotes

“Our government understands that by investing in infrastructure at our small craft harbours, we are also supporting employment opportunities that benefit local communities and ensuring the livelihood of our fishing industry. The funding announced today will help maintain a network of safe and efficient harbours across the Maritimes and contribute to continued economic growth and prosperity for Canadians.”

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Regional Minister for Prince Edward Island and Member of Parliament for Egmont.

"These local investments will enhance our ability to harvest, produce and export quality seafood products all over the world. This is a key part of our Government’s strategy to grow the Nova Scotia economy by taking full advantage of the Canada-E.U. trade agreement.”

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Member of Parliament for Central Nova