Minister Shea Announces Over $3 Million for Improvements to the Bedford Institute of Oceanography and Highlights Science Work

News Release

March 30, 2015 - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today over $3 million from the Government of Canada for improvements to the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO) in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The Minister also highlighted science work related to lobster and scallop, and toured the facility to hear directly from scientists about their projects.

BIO is Canada’s largest centre for ocean research and is home to several departments, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan); both of which are investing in the institute’s infrastructure. World-renowned, work performed at BIO supports the Government of Canada’s mandate to protect and conserve Canada's oceans and resources.

Today’s announcement will create jobs and encourage economic growth in Nova Scotia.This project will fund repairs, upgrades and other maintenance work to help ensure the continued operation of the facilities. It will also fund upgrades to DFO’s fish lab where important stock assessment research is conducted; and the Geological Survey of Canada-Atlantic's core and sediment storage facility.

This continued investment in the future underscores the Government’s commitment to improving infrastructure across the country and to supporting ongoing research at the institute.

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has provided an unprecedented level of funding to support investments in public infrastructure across the country. Last fall, Prime Minister Harper announced an additional investment of $5.8 billion over the next two years to build and renew infrastructure across the country to support Canadian heritage, First Nations education, defense, borders, research, small craft harbours, transportation and search and rescue. As part of this funding, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard will receive a total of approximately $551 million.

Quick Facts

Established in 1962, BIO has led cutting-edge research to help manage Canada’s vast ocean and aquatic resources for more than 50 years.
BIO is located in Dartmouth on the shores of the Bedford Basin, and is home to over 550 employees from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Environment Canada, Department of National Defense and Public Works and Government Services Canada.
BIO is a multidisciplinary research facility. Combined research from the departments of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Natural Resources Canada to assess the stock status of scallops on Canada’s east coast is an example of the important work done at BIO to support Canada’s fisheries.
The Government of Canada has invested approximately $100M in infrastructure at BIO over the last 15 years.

Quotes

"Our Government recognizes that science is essential to sustainable and economically viable fisheries. That is why we are pleased to invest in continued improvement of facilities such as the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. Today’s announcement will create jobs and economic growth for Nova Scotia, while ensuring that world class research continues at the institute.”

- The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

“Our Government’s historic investments in infrastructure are promoting jobs, scientific innovation and long-term economic prosperity in Nova Scotia and across Canada. The infrastructure upgrades announced today will support advanced research on Canada’s oceanographic geology and offshore oil and gas resources.”

The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources