Harper Government Invests Up to $22.7 Million in Eleven New Brunswick Small Craft Harbours

BACK BAY, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - July 31, 2015) - John Williamson, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today that the Government of Canada will invest in major improvement projects at eleven small craft harbours in New Brunswick. Funding will provide a safer and more efficient working environment for fishermen and harbour users across the province.

Federal funding of up to $22.7 million is being allocated to improvement projects at the following harbours over the next two years:

• Back Bay - construction of a marginal wharf and basin dredging
• Blacks Harbour - dredging the harbour basin, constructing a service area and installing two new anchoring systems for floating wharves
• Boynes Cove - constructing and installing two wave breaks
• Chance Harbour - dredging the harbour basin
• Dipper Harbour - repairing fenders on the wharf
• Head Harbour - constructing a service area and installing floating wharves
• Ingalls Head - extending the north breakwater, reconstructing a section of the south wharf and installing armour stones at its tip
• Leonardville - reconstructing the existing breakwater, dredging the basin and installing floating wharves
• Lords Cove - upgrading the electrical system
• North Head - major harbour improvements including wharf repairs, new floating wharves and anchoring systems, basin dredging and breakwater construction
• White Head - dredging the harbour basin

Since 2006, the Harper Government 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

• More than $74 million is being invested in improvement projects at approximately 39 harbours in New Brunswick over the next two years.
• 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 Harper Government understands that traditional fishing communities are an important part of our Canadian economy. The infrastructure funding announced today will support employment opportunities that benefit local workers and ensure businesses can stay competitive. We need good wharves the same way we need highways to get our products from the sea to markets at home and around the world."

John Williamson, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest

Associated Links

Small Craft Harbours

Harper Government Makes Multi-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Investment in Alma Harbour

Harper Government Announces Support for Small Craft Harbour Project in St. Martins

Harper Government Invests more than $36 Million in 14 New Brunswick Harbours

Harper government invests over $74 million in New Brunswick harbours

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This news release is available online at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.