The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that the Government of Canada will invest $67 million to improve small craft harbours in communities throughout Canada.
“Our Government recognizes that thousands of Canadian jobs depend on a well-functioning network of small craft harbours,” said Minister Shea. “Today in harbours from Vancouver to St. John’s, our government is delivering on its commitment to maintaining and improving these harbours for the thousands of Canadians whose livelihoods depend on them.”
In Prince Edward Island, the federal government is investing $3.2 million for repair and improvement projects at small craft harbours.
“Here at home in PEI, the commercial fishery is vital to the local economy,” said Minister Shea. “Our government is ensuring that much-needed work is carried out at core fishing harbours, to provide economic benefits, jobs and opportunities to Canadian communities for years to come.”
Today’s investment is in addition to the funding provided by Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which provides $200 million for two years for harbour repairs and maintenance projects. These projects were announced in 2009, and work will continue until March 2011.
Small craft harbour repair and improvement projects are undertaken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as part of its Small Craft Harbours Program, in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate facilities for local users. Close cooperation between the department and harbour authorities allows the federal government to continue to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of the commercial fishing industry.
