Harper Goverment Invests in Tignish Small Craft Harbour

News Release

Minister Gail Shea announces project to improve safety and working conditions for harbour users

July 26, 2015

TIGNISH, Prince Edward Island - The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today an investment to improve working conditions for fishermen at Tignish Harbour in Prince Edward Island.

Funding for this project will be used to dredge and realign the channel, install shore protection, replace an existing wharf in the boat basin and to construct a new marginal wharf. These improvements will provide safer navigation and additional berthage capacity in the harbour.

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 will receive a total of approximately $551 million. This includes $288 million for harbour improvements at small craft harbours.

Quick Facts

Tignish harbour is home port to 82 vessels.
Primary species landed are herring, lobster, snow crab, oyster and tuna. Landings in 2013 were valued at more than $17 million.
In the last six years, $2.4 million has been invested at this harbour.
The Harper Government will invest approximately $18.8 million in PEI’s small craft harbours over the next two years for projects at 23 harbours.
The Government of Canada supports more than 1000 small craft harbours across Canada. Harbour improvement projects are undertaken in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate facilities for local users.
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.

Quotes

“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 Tignish wharf is one of the busiest in-shore harbours in Atlantic Canada and these projects are very important for our harbour activities. The new wharf structures will help address overcrowding at the wharf. The channel dredging and installation of armour stone will help reduce sedimentation and provide better access for fishermen to our inland wharf structures at Jude’s Point.“

Russell Gallant, Manager of Judes Point/Tignish Harbour Authority