Government of Canada Invests $25.8 million in Harbour Infrastructure throughout Eastern Newfoundland

NEW-WES-VALLEY, NL, Sept. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - A dozen communities throughout eastern Newfoundland are welcoming significant federal investments that will benefit the local economy. Coastal communities across Canada are supported by small craft harbours that provide the commercial fishing industry with safe and accessible facilities. With approximately 44,000 Canadians employed in this sector, the Government of Canada is making investments to renew its network of small craft harbours and work with municipalities and other stakeholders where investments and divestitures can enhance local communities.

Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced that the Government of Canada is investing $25.8 million in harbour infrastructure improvements at 12 harbours throughout Bonavista-Burin-Trinity.

Several harbours have been identified for improvements:

• Major wharf reconstruction at Valleyfield Harbour, Musgrave Harbour and Fortune
• Facilities will be repaired and divested to local non-for-profit organizations in Port Blandford and Deadman's Bay
• Essential safety-related repairs are slated for Newman's Cove
• Site clean-ups of derelict/unsafe facilities are planned for Bonavista (Mockbeggar wharf), Bragg's Island, Frenchman's Cove (Fortune Bay) and New Chelsea
• Ongoing multi-year wharf and breakwater reconstruction work is being completed at Bay de Verde
• Ongoing multi-year wharf reconstruction work is being completed in Grand Bank

Quotes
"I am pleased to announce these major investments. Investing in the local small craft harbours helps not just the commercial fishing industry, but Bonavista-Burin-Trinity as a whole. I am proud that we are investing in people, promoting inclusive growth and building stronger communities. The work carried out will not only renew and maintain the infrastructure that is essential to the region, but also stimulate job opportunities that will benefit fishermen and support our local communities."

Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament, Bonavista-Burin-Trinity

"Investments that help improve communities are a priority for our Government. When we invest in the community, Canadians and the Canadian economy benefit. Small Craft Harbour investments demonstrate the federal government's commitment to local economies.  We are proud of this investment to support the fishing industry—a key economic sector that helps support coastal communities across the country. "

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is investing $250 million over two years to renew its network of small craft harbours and work with municipalities and other stakeholders to enhance local communities, economies and foster job creation.
• This is in addition to $100 million that will be invested in 2018-19 for repairs, maintenance, construction, and dredging at core commercial fishing harbours across Canada.
• The mandate of the Small Craft Harbours Program is to keep harbours critical to the commercial fishing industry open and in good repair.
• Small craft harbours provide critical support to the commercial fishing industry, which had landings valued at almost $3.4 billion in 2016.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada supports more than 1000 harbours across Canada with more than 5000 volunteers from harbour authorities.
• Harbour restoration projects are undertaken in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate facilities for local users.

Associated Links

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft Harbours Program

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada