MP Allen Announces Funding for the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility

News Release

May 15, 2015

Upgrades will benefit inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon program

French Village, New Brunswick- Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique – Mactaquac, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced over $500,000 for improvements and repairs to the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility in French Village, New Brunswick.

The Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility supports the Government of Canada’s conservation and recovery efforts of Atlantic salmon and in particular, the inner Bay of Fundy (iBoF) Atlantic salmon population. The facility houses a live gene bank program which maintains the genetic diversity of the iBoF Atlantic salmon population. In addition, the facility is responsible for moving fish species, returning to the Mactaquac hydroelectric dam, up river to continue their migration.

This announcement will also create jobs and economic growth in New Brunswick. This project will fund repairs, upgrades and other maintenance work to help ensure the continued operation of the facility. This investment underscores the Government’s commitment to improving infrastructure across the country and to supporting ongoing research at the facility.

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has provided unprecedented investments in public infrastructure across Canada. Last fall, Prime Minister Harper announced an additional investment of $5.8 billion over the next two years to invest in infrastructure across the country in areas such as heritage, First Nations education, defence, borders, research facilities, harbours, transportation and search and rescue, to create jobs from coast to coast to coast. As part of this funding, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard will receive a total of $551.1 million.

Quick Facts

The Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility was established in 1968.
The Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility currently maintains a live gene bank population of the endangered inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon from the Big Salmon River in New Brunswick. This program helps maintain the genetic diversity of the inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon population.
The Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility also collects and raises Tobique River Atlantic Salmon and the young fish are later released into the river.
The Facility is engaged in collaborative activities with various partners to support management of Atlantic salmon and other fish species.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to ensuring the conservation and protection of wild Atlantic salmon. Today's announcement builds on the Government of Canada's commitment to infrastructure investments ensuring that the program at the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility for the maintenance and preservation of the endangered inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon have a solid foundation from which to operate”.

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

“The infrastructure funding announced today for the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility will provide significant improvements in the continuation of the research and stocking efforts for wild Atlantic salmon populations. It will also provide important jobs and economic growth for New Brunswick.”

Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique – Mactaquac