April 17, 2015 - Pictou, Nova Scotia
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today that the Government of Canada will invest $60.3 million in major improvement projects at 48 harbours across Nova Scotia over the next two years. These projects will provide a safer and more efficient working environment for harbour users and local fishermen.
Of this funding, $20 million will be allocated to harbour improvement projects at 17 harbours in Pictou county, Kings county, Guysborough county and across Cape Breton.
- Bay St. Lawrence – construction of new steel sheet pilings to replace the deteriorated training wall on the east side of the harbour
- Big Bras d’Or – replacing a deteriorated timber deck
- Canso – constructing an extension to the wharf
- Caribou Ferry – completing the construction of a breakwater that was started last year
- Chéticamp (La Digue) – completing the construction of a breakwater that was started last year and repairing a slipway
- Dingwall – dredging the channel and basin
- Dover (Little Dover) – replacing a deteriorated wharf with a new one
- Finlay Point – replacing a deteriorated wharf with a new one
- Glace Bay – replacing a deteriorated wharf with a new one
- Grand Étang – dredging the basin
- Halls Harbour – replacing a deteriorated wharf with a new one
- Judique (Baxter’s Cove) – dredging of the basin and channel
- Larry’s River – reconstruction of the outer section of a wharf
- Little Harbour (L’Ardoise) – dredging of the basin and channel
- Little River (Victoria County) – replacing a deteriorated wharf with a new one
- Murphy’s Pond – replacing the existing breakwater, dredging the basin and installing floating wharves
- Petit-de-Grat – dredging the channel and basin
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, defence, borders, research, small craft harbours, transportation and search and rescue. As part of this funding, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard received a total of approximately $551 million, $288 million of which is being used for harbor improvements at small craft harbours.
“For generations, hard-working Canadian men and women have made their livelihood from our waters. Without question, small craft harbours are the cornerstone of the commercial fishing industry. Today’s announcement is part of our Government’s ongoing commitment to support harbours, local economies and foster job creation.”
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
“The commercial fishing industry provides important employment in many of Canada’s coastal and rural communities. Ensuring that small craft harbours are kept in good operating condition not only benefits those who use them, but also the communities where they are located.”
Minister Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Central Nova
“The Caribou Ferry Harbour Authority has been working with the Department for many years undertaking the design work for this project. The Harbour Authority is very pleased the project has finally come to realization. The completion of the project will provide much better protection and safety for all of the harbour users at Caribou. It will also provide much more room for the homeport fleet as well as the transient vessels that utilize the harbour. It will also provide additional room for fish buyers to safely operate. The general public will also benefit by a safer working harbour. ”
David MacCarthy, President of the Caribou Ferry Harbour Authority
Photo caption: Following the announcement, Minister MacKay talks with John Lakenman, manager of the Caribou Ferry Harbour Authority, regarding the work that is being carried out at the harbour. A poster illustrating the work is featured in the background.
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Steve Hachey
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Gulf Region
506-851-7045
Sophie Doucet
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
NR-G-15-10E
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